BETHLEHEM TWP. − Investigators are working to identify the person found dead in what remained of a home after firefighters extinguished a fire there on June 4, authorities said.
Firefighters discovered the body of an adult on the floor of the damaged home’s garage at 4551 Hudson Drive SW, said Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Chief Rick Annen.
He said he could not say the gender of the deceased. And it’s not clear what caused the fire or where in the house it originated.
The chief said investigators from the Division of State Fire Marshal will arrive at the property June 5 as part of its investigation. Annen did not yet have a damage estimate.
A caller reported the fire around 3:42 p.m. The 672-square-foot house, on a 2.84-acre parcel, is several hundred feet from Hudson Drive SW at the end of a long gravel driveway. According to Stark County property records, the house is about 53 years old.
When firefighters arrived they found the garage and much of the house being consumed by flames, said Annen. He learned that two people were listed as living there.
Firefighters wearing protective equipment and using thermal imaging searched the burning house but could not find anyone alive in the structure. The fire departments brought a tanker truck with water.
It wasn’t until after the fire was under control after about 45 minutes to an hour that firefighters discovered the body in the garage. It’s not clear if it’s one of the home’s two occupants.
Emergency responders put up yellow tape around the house’s yard.
Firefighters from the Erie Valley Fire, Bolivar and several nearby departments, along with Stark County sheriff’s deputies responded. Among the other responding departments were Canton Township, Perry Township, Brewster, Beach City, Wilmot, East Sparta, Strasburg, Wilmot and Dundee.
The state fire marshal will help investigate the cause of the fire.
The Stark County Coroner’s Office had not identified the deceased as of midday June 5.
Annen said DNA results may not be available for two weeks. He said he did not know if the death occurred before the fire or was caused by the fire.
He said the value of the loss may exceed $250,000, as the house and garage were destroyed along with two or three cars.
(The breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
Staff writer Nancy Molnar contributed to this story.
Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: One person found dead after Bethlehem Township house fire