Probe Of Apparent Fatal Fire In York County Pa Underway

September 27, 2013

 Probe of apparent fatal fire in York County, PA underway

Pennsylvania state police and other officials, including members of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating an explosion and fire that apparently killed one person this week.

At the time this is being written, authorities hadn’t been able to confirm whether the person, whose remains were pulled from the debris of the blast and blaze, were those of a man or a woman. What is known is that a female resident of the home that was destroyed is unaccounted for.

An autopsy showed that the victim found did die of smoke inhalation and burns. But officials ruled the death accidental.

The explosion and fire occurred in York County this past Monday night at 8:45. Firefighters were at the scene for at least six hours trying to quench the flames. The force of the blast and the fire leveled the one-story home.

There were early indications that someone might be trapped in the ruins, but authorities had to wait to send in an excavation crew to conduct a search.

The cause of the explosion remains a mystery at this point. Whatever determination investigators eventually make may end up being crucial information to loved ones of the dead victim as they deal with their grief and try to recover.

It may be difficult at this stage to nail down exactly what the source of the explosion and fire may have been. Any number of possibilities exist, such as a gas leak in a furnace or a water heater. Problems in electrical wiring could have sparked the devastation, as well.

Whenever such tragedy strikes, it can be beneficial to consult with an attorney regarding rights and possible options regarding the seeking of possible compensation. 

Source: ABC27.com, “Body pulled from rubble after home explosion, fire,” Ali Lanyon, Sept. 24, 2013