WESCOSVILLE Pa. (AP) - A man found dead after an eastern Pennsylvania motel room fire has been identified but more tests will be needed to determine the cause of his death, authorities said.
Robert Smith, 69, was pronounced dead after the Friday morning fire at the Iron Run Motel in Upper Macungie Township, the Lehigh County coroner’s office said. An autopsy was done Saturday but the cause and manner of death is pending further forensic testing, the coroner’s office said.
Lt. Peter Nickischer of the township police department said arriving officers reported heavy smoke coming from one of the rooms and could see a man inside but were unable to get to him due to flames and smoke.
Police said the man had been living at the motel for an extended period of time. He had an oxygen tank in his room and probably had pre-existing medical conditions, officials said. Nickischer told WFMZ-TV that “It appears the male was pre-deceased but again, that’s only preliminary.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.