Police release names of elderly couple killed in Peoria apartment fire

PHOENIX — Police have released the names of an elderly couple who died after a fire broke out at a senior living apartment complex in Peoria on Monday night, authorities said.

The Peoria Fire-Medical Department, along with the Sun City Fire Department, Glendale Fire Department and El Mirage Fire Department, responded to a fire in the area of 103rd and Olive avenues around 7:30 p.m, according to the Peoria Police Department.

The fire broke out at the Olive Ridge Senior Living community, according to ABC15.

Witnesses told police they heard a loud explosion that came from an elderly couple’s apartment. When crews arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the apartment. Nearby apartments were evacuated as a precaution.

Police said that a man, identified as 82-year-old Gene John Kaluza, was pulled from the apartment and given life-saving measures, but he died at the scene.

A woman, identified as 79-year-old Joanne Gail Kaluza, was found inside the apartment and pronounced dead, police added.

Crews were able to get the fire under control, according to officials.

The Peoria Police Department will be investigating the fire.

No other information was provided.

KTAR News’ Jeff Vinton contributed to this report. 

This is an updated version of a story originally published Jan. 12, 2026. 

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