UPDATE:
The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Matthew Streeval.
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An early morning fire in New Cumberland Tuesday claimed the life of a 39-year-old man and his pet dog. The fire destroyed a small apartment located above a garage in an alley to the rear of the 500 block of Fourth Street.
The Cumberland County Coroner says the victim was a white male. Following an autopsy, the cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation.
A positive identification isn't expected until Wednesday as the coroner has to conduct a comparison of dental records and notify next of kin.
When New Cumberland firefighters arrived around 3:45 Tuesday morning, they immediately asked for a second alarm. It was unknown whether anyone was trapped inside. Because of the time of day, they assumed it was a possibility.
Firefighters worked to quickly knock down the fire as flames shot out the second floor windows. At one point a wall collapsed and a portion of the roof caved in.
When it was safe to enter the still-burning apartment, searchers discovered the body of the man and his Yorkshire, Sammy.
The heat was so intense that it melted the siding on a house across the alley.
Two firefighters were injured in the blaze. One had minor injuries while the other was treated at a local hospital.
Neighbor Robert Basom, who referred to the victim as Matt, said he was a very happy-go-lucky guy.
Throughout the day people came by to survey the damage, some talking fondly about the victim. Three garage doors on the first floor were secured and the doorway where firefighters entered the building was boarded up.
By law, the State Police Fire Marshal investigates all fires when there has been a fatality. The cause has been ruled accidental.
New Cumberland Police, State Police and the County Coroner are continuing the investigation.
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We have a breaking news update out of Cumberland County where the coroner's office is now on the scene of a two-alarm house fire.
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CBS 21 is following breaking news out of Cumberland County where crews are on the scene of a second alarm house fire.
Flames broke out just before four this morning in the 500 block of 4th Street, near the 300 block of Geary Avenue in New Cumberland.
Our photojournalist at the scene tells us, the fire is mostly out.
One firefighter is being checked by EMS, but no word on any other injuries or if anyone was inside building.
The house is heavily damaged.
CBS 21 will bring you more updates on this breaking news as soon as we get them.
The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Matthew Streeval.
_____________________________________________
An early morning fire in New Cumberland Tuesday claimed the life of a 39-year-old man and his pet dog. The fire destroyed a small apartment located above a garage in an alley to the rear of the 500 block of Fourth Street.
The Cumberland County Coroner says the victim was a white male. Following an autopsy, the cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation.
A positive identification isn't expected until Wednesday as the coroner has to conduct a comparison of dental records and notify next of kin.
When New Cumberland firefighters arrived around 3:45 Tuesday morning, they immediately asked for a second alarm. It was unknown whether anyone was trapped inside. Because of the time of day, they assumed it was a possibility.
Firefighters worked to quickly knock down the fire as flames shot out the second floor windows. At one point a wall collapsed and a portion of the roof caved in.
When it was safe to enter the still-burning apartment, searchers discovered the body of the man and his Yorkshire, Sammy.
The heat was so intense that it melted the siding on a house across the alley.
Two firefighters were injured in the blaze. One had minor injuries while the other was treated at a local hospital.
Neighbor Robert Basom, who referred to the victim as Matt, said he was a very happy-go-lucky guy.
Throughout the day people came by to survey the damage, some talking fondly about the victim. Three garage doors on the first floor were secured and the doorway where firefighters entered the building was boarded up.
By law, the State Police Fire Marshal investigates all fires when there has been a fatality. The cause has been ruled accidental.
New Cumberland Police, State Police and the County Coroner are continuing the investigation.
___________________________________________
We have a breaking news update out of Cumberland County where the coroner's office is now on the scene of a two-alarm house fire.
Flames broke out just before four this morning in the 300 block of Geary Avenue in New Cumberland.
Our photojournalist at the scene says there is no official word on any injuries, but two firefighters were seen being treated by EMS.
It took crews about thirty minutes to put out the fire, which spread quickly.
A neighbor tells us one man lived in the building, but the coroner's office and police department have not confirmed any fatalities.
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CBS 21 is following breaking news out of Cumberland County where crews are on the scene of a second alarm house fire.
Flames broke out just before four this morning in the 500 block of 4th Street, near the 300 block of Geary Avenue in New Cumberland.
Our photojournalist at the scene tells us, the fire is mostly out.
One firefighter is being checked by EMS, but no word on any other injuries or if anyone was inside building.
The house is heavily damaged.
CBS 21 will bring you more updates on this breaking news as soon as we get them.