Saturday December 16th, at 3 a.m., the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety, assisted by Jackson Fire Department and Summit Township Fire Department responded to a fire call in Blackman Township at an apartment complex located off County Farm Road and Springport Rd. When they arrived officials discovered heavy smoke billowing from the sixth floor of an apartment complex. The fire was contained in one room at that point, a further search of the apartment led to the discovery of a person inside. He was taken outside and given medical treatment but later died at the scene. The Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety reported that the man had been identified as 66 year old Barry Zyla. Officials said he was the only person in the apartment at the time of the fire.