KNOXVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say smoking may have started an early morning fire that killed two people in their northern Pennsylvania home.
The (Williamsport) Sun-Gazette (https://bit.ly/1p8tBBE ) reports that fire crews in Tioga County were called to the Knoxville residence just after 5 a.m. Monday.
Officials said two people found unresponsive inside the home were taken to Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, where they were pronounced dead.
Deputy Coroner Jim Daugherty identified them as 30-year-old John Wheaton and 19-year-old Kristle Buchanan and said they died of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.
Knoxville-Deerfield assistant fire chief Joe Druetto said the blaze started on or near a living room sofa, and a state police fire marshal said smoking may have sparked the blaze.
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Information from: Williamsport Sun-Gazette, https://www.sungazette.com
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