53°
Chase Bucher, 4, of the first block of Marburg Road in Spring Grove died an accidental death caused by smoke inhalation and thermal burns, Coroner Pam Gay announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Ronald Richard, 79, of 2453 Black Rock Road, West Manheim Township died at the scene but his cause and manner of death are still pending as of 4 p.m. on Jan. 9.
The call to the fire that broke out at Richard's home came into the York County Department of Emergency Services at 10:42 a.m. on Jan. 8. The caller reportedly "heard two explosions," York County Office of Emergency Management Public Information Officer Ted Czech told Daily Voice, he originally noted that the fire chief has yet to confirm a single explosion as of 12:30 p.m., but the explosions have since been confirmed.
Firefighters arrived to find the home "fully engulfed in flames," Czech said. "One least one person was rescued and a helicopter was requested to the scene." Minutes later a coroner was also called to the scene.
"There is one victim on scene who has died and another who has died at UPMC Hanover, so two fatalities at this point related to the fire," York County Coroner Pam Gay initially told Daily Voice. She added that the victims' names, ages, or genders will not be released until the next-of-kin has been notified.
After the family, who remains in the hospital receiving care, was informed, Gay released details about this deadly fire.
It is now known that a wheelchairbound 79-year-old man "was smoking in a closed garage while on active oxygen intake. The oxygen tanks subsequently exploded," she said.
The man died at the scene at 12:47 p.m. on Monday. Deputy Coroner Michele Kirchner was called to the scene to certify his passing and investigate.
The 4-year-old boy was found at the scene and taken to UPMC Hanover Hospital where he later died. Deputy Coroner Ryan Demeritt was called to the hospital to investigate and certify the boy's death. His official time of death was 12:28 p.m. on Jan. 8.
"There will be no autopsies but routine specimens were obtained for testing," Gay noted. Both victims' official cause and manner of death are pending but are expected to be released sometime on Tuesday. Their names are expected to be released at that time.
Black Rock Road was closed at Musselman and Dubs Church roads for several hours. This second alarm fire was marked "under control" at 12:07 p.m., according to Czech. A state police fire marshal has been called to investigate.
The family has a child who is a student in the Manheim School District so the PTO has organized a fundraiser to help the family.
Click here to follow Daily Voice York and receive free news updates.
