Caz Strzlaka Obituary, Death – A 67-year-old man from Port Richmond has died after being rescued from a house fire that broke out in his longtime residence Thursday evening. While officials later confirmed he passed away from natural causes rather than direct injuries from the fire, the incident left his family and neighbors shaken.
The man, identified by neighbors as Caz Strzlaka, was pulled from his home on the 3200 block of Almond Street around 6:30 p.m. when flames erupted inside. Those who knew him said Strzlaka had lived in the home for decades, making his loss deeply felt within the community.
Margaret Murat, a fellow resident of the neighborhood, said Strzlaka’s nephews were inside the home at the time of the fire. According to her, they were searching for their cats and trying to recover belongings when the fire spread quickly. “They called the fire department. They didn’t get him out quick enough,” Murat said, recalling the tragic scene.
Another neighbor, Sonny Buhalo, described the unfolding emergency as chaotic. “Smoke was all over the place, firemen were running up and down the street,” he said. The fire department responded quickly, but thick smoke filled the house as firefighters attempted to locate and rescue those inside.
Fire investigators later determined that the blaze began with a dryer on the first floor of the home. Flames and smoke moved through the property, complicating the rescue. Despite the challenge, firefighters managed to bring both Strzlaka and another individual out of the residence.
“We asked one of the firemen what happened. He said it was a dryer that caught on fire,” Buhalo added. The explanation brought some clarity, though it did little to ease the shock of what happened.
Both rescued individuals were treated by emergency medical services at the scene before being taken to the hospital. Strzlaka, however, did not survive. Fire officials emphasized that his death was ruled to be from natural causes, not directly caused by fire or smoke inhalation. Still, the sudden circumstances of his passing have left many unsettled.
“It’s horrifying. It’s the worst thing that can happen,” Buhalo said, summing up the grief and disbelief shared by neighbors watching the events unfold.
As the family mourned Strzlaka’s death, they found a small moment of relief when one of the nephews located his cat, Buddy, alive inside the damaged home. Holding the animal close, he confirmed that another cat, Sassy, was still missing but was believed to have escaped during the fire. The family continues to search the neighborhood in hopes of finding her.
For residents of Port Richmond, the tragedy serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable dangers that can strike even in long-settled homes. While Strzlaka’s death was ultimately attributed to natural causes, the fire and its aftermath left a lasting mark on his family and community.
