The body of a Toledo man was found at the scene of an apartment building fire in East Toledo early today.

The victim’s family members at the scene identified him as Taylor Meek, 22.

“I am just lost and sad,” said Sandra Ragland, 39, of Oregon, the victim’s mother.

Ms. Ragland said the victim was the oldest of her three children. He attended at different times Lake High School and then Waite High School, where he was on the wrestling team, but did not graduate, his mother said. He lived alone and had side jobs, doing garden work or painting houses, she said.

Richard Ragland, 44, of Toledo, the victim’s father, said his son had lived at the apartment since April of last year. He had moved out of his parents’ residence at age 18 “when he wanted to be a man,” Mr. Ragland said.  

The fire occurred at about 6:53 a.m. at 2126 Consaul St. near Burger Street, according to the Toledo Fire Department. Consaul Street is closed in both directions.

Toledo Fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said the fire was reported by a police crew and neighbors.

When fire crews arrived on the scene they attacked the flames, entered the building, and searched it for a possible victim, he said. Fire crews found the body in the building at about 7:14 a.m. The cause of death was not immediately determined.

Lieutenant Hertzfeld said several occupants, all of whom lived upstairs, had escaped the building unhurt before fire crews arrived. The victim’s pet, a yellow 1 1/2-year-old female mix dog named Daisy also escaped without injuries, according to the victim’s mother.

Leon Rayford, 39, a neighbor, said he was home when he heard “like someone was banging on the door.”

“I thought it was my door, but it wasn’t,” Mr. Rayford said. “I came outside and saw fire spewing out of the windows all around the building [next door] and a lot of smoke coming through the roof.”

Lucas County records list Thomas and Colleene Perry as the owners of the two-story, four-unit brick building. It was built in 1906.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and a damage estimate is not available, according to Lieutenant Hertzfeld.

“Taylor and I were friends,” Mr. Rayford said. “He played video games. He had his dog and he was nice to people.”

First Published November 9, 2015, 12:57 p.m.