Man dies in south Albany fire early Saturday

ALBANY — Two occupied apartment units were damaged in an early Saturday blaze in south Albany that resulted in the death of one resident, a fatality that was later ruled as accidental.

Joshua Bateman, 27, was reported to have gone out the evening before, returning sometime between 3:30 a.m.-4 a.m. to his unit in Windover Apartments on West Gordon Avenue. The man apparently attempted to cook something, and fell asleep, said Albany Fire Department Arson Investigator Sam Harris.

Harris said Bateman attempted to get out when he realized his second-story unit was on fire, but that he was unable to make it out.

Since it was deemed that the blaze was a cooking fire that got out of control, the incident was ruled an accident which means no charges are expected to be filed, Harris said.

Harris said there was an occupant in another unit who was displaced, and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. There are two other units connected to the structure, which were vacant, the arson investigator said.