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ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — A coroner has ruled the deaths of three people in a central Pennsylvania house fire more than a year ago accidental although police say they are still investigating the blaze.
The (Altoona) Mirror (http://bit.ly/1PriSPx ) reports that the ruling in the January 2015 fire in Altoona came in the Blair County coroner’s end-of-the-year report.
Coroner Patricia Ross said 31-year-old Jessica Giarth died of smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide and second-degree burns. She said 9-year-old Kea Barnes died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide and 20-month-old Lyric Giarth died of smoke inhalation and third-degree burns.
Sgt. Matthew Starr said Altoona police haven’t made an official ruling on the cause. He said investigators know where the fire started but are still trying to determine whether it was accidental or deliberately set.
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Information from: Altoona Mirror, http://www.altoonamirror.com