A commercial structure on the site had been damaged by a Jan. 28 fire and was knocked down earlier. The property, which was a two-story house, was formerly home to PowerNet of Dayton.
The intensity of the fire and signs of impending collapse prevented firefighters from searching the structure, said Brad French, assistant chief of the Dayton Fire Department.
Once the fire was extinguished, an emergency demolition was ordered due to the extent of damage and danger of additional collapse, he said.
Bladecutter’s Demolition was removing debris from the site when crews found the body.
The report of a body found led officials from the fire department’s fire investigations unit, the police department’s homicide unit and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to respond.
The victim has not been identified.
Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns said an autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning and that they are awaiting a determination of whether the person was killed as a result of the fire or was deceased before then, he said during a Tuesday afternoon media briefing.
The Gem City Market, which is just south of the demolition site, posted a message on social media today saying it was aware of the discovery of the body at the site.
The post says police confirmed “this situation is not linked to any incidents within our store.”
The Gem City Market also wrote, “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.”
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