S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A man is dead after a house fire in South Whitehall Township early Monday morning.
County dispatchers say it broke out at the house on the 2800 block of Helen Street around 4 a.m.
In a news release, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said firefighters removed the man, later identified as 37-year-old Christopher R. Forsythe of Allentown, from the home. Forsythe was pronounced dead at the scene at 5 a.m., Buglio said.
Jayson Wagner | for WFMZ-TV
Following an autopsy Monday, Buglio said the cause of death is Inhalation of Products of Combustion and Thermal Injuries due to a House Fire. The manner of death remains Pending Investigation.
The investigation remains active. Crews on scene worked to board the house up.
The fire appears to have severely damaged the right side of the home if you’re looking at it from the street.
69 News had the chance to talk with several neighbors, and everyone we’ve spoken with told us they believed this house had been empty for some time. So, several people were surprised when we told them a man was found dead inside.
No word on what may have caused the fire, or if there were any other injuries.