Published: March 09, 2009 10:14 pm      

Fire death accidental, district attorney says

BEDFORD — An East Providence Township man whose body was found inside his burned-out home last week apparently died accidentally, Bedford County District Attorney William Higgins said Monday.

Authorities identified the man as Howard J. Smith, 29, of North Main Street, Breezewood.

“I don’t think anything is going to come of this,” Higgins said of the investigation.

The fire broke out in the single-family dwelling early Feb. 28.

Smith’s body was discovered sometime later, and an autopsy was performed last week.

State police Cpl. Brian Hoover said he is awaiting a report on the cause of the blaze from a state police fire marshal.

“At this point our investigation still is not complete,” he said.

Reports from the scene were that the fire began in the rear of the house in the kitchen area.