Pocono News Section

State Police Wrap Up Fatal Fire Investigation

State Police Wrap Up Fatal Fire Investigation - Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 10:40AM EST

Reported by: WBRE News
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 @10:40am EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Pennsylvania State Police have finished their investigation into what caused the deaths of an elderly couple and a firefighter during a Sunday fire.

A PSP Fire Marshal was unable to determine what sparked the fire that killed Richard and Maria Fenstermacher, both in their 80s. However they say the fire did not start from an outside source and is not suspicious.

A State Police Criminal Investigation team also ruled the death of firefighter Captain James Robeson an accident and caused by electrocution.

State Police will not make any determination as to who, if anyone, was at fault in the mishap between PPL and the Scranton Fire Department that led to Robeson's death.

Late Monday afternoon, a PPL spokesman released preliminary information into their independent investigation into the tragedy. Spokesman Richard Beasley says that a PPL lineman responded to the fire scene within 10 minutes Sunday morning and cut power to the house as was requested. He later left the scene.