Fatal fire ruled accidental
State police investigators said Tuesday that a Whitsett house fire that killed a 47-year-old Star Junction man has been ruled accidental in nature but have yet to determine a specific cause. State police said Thomas Wingrove, 47, of Star Junction died when a residence on Pilgrim Street caught fire around 8:45 p.m. Sunday.
Fayette County Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer pronounced Wingrove dead at the scene at 10:42 p.m. after firefighters recovered Wingrove’s body from the home where he was found near a doorway.
The results of an autopsy conducted on Wingrove Monday remained unavailable Tuesday because of pending test results, according to the coroner’s office.
A.J. Boni, Perry Township assistant fire chief, said crews knocked down the fire quickly and damage was contained to the living room area.
In addition to state police, volunteer firefighters from Perry Township, DL&V, Dawson, Fayette City and Belle Vernon fire departments and emergency personnel from Perry Ambulance and the coroner’s office responded to the scene.
The specific cause of the fire is pending further investigation, police said.