'He was like family': Community members mourn man who died in east side fire

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One man is dead after an apartment fire on Milwaukee’s east side Wednesday, Jan. 3. 

Fire officials say they responded to an apartment building near North Avenue and Cambridge around 8:45 p.m. for a fire showing from a second-floor unit. 

According to investigators, a woman who used an at-home oxygen tank was smoking a cigarette. Investigators say an explosion happened with the woman's oxygen line, and her bed caught on fire.

“I was in my apartment and all of a sudden I heard fire alarms," said Carlos Graza, a resident in the apartment complex. "Gave us five minutes and I was out with my slippers, no pants, with shorts on and this coat here.”

Authorities say the woman's husband, 62-year-old Jeffery Raffone, was given CPR but died on the scene. Another patient was treated for smoke inhalation. 

Community members say Raffone was like family. 

“In the summer, there’s a barbecue going on, we’ll sit there, do our thing, talk, listen to music, you know, lollygag," said Jacqueline Baker-Johnson, a longtime resident and friend of Raffone.

According to investigators, the woman said she "started to leave the apartment, but Jeffery wanted to find the cat first." Investigators found Raffone on the kitchen floor. Neighbors say their community won't be the same without him. 

“That don’t feel so good. He was a good soul. An angel. Right now, God has him," said Baker-Johnson.