The 54-year-old man who died in the blaze that consumed an RV at 1708 Mineral Springs Road was identified as Johnny Dale Bowman of the Mineral Springs area. Deputy Coroner Mike Pepple said Bowman, who was living in the RV at the time of the fire, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:49 a.m. “An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death,” Pepple said. Officials with the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office were at the scene until late Tuesday working to determine the cause of the fatal fire. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is also leading the investigation. “At this point the fire looks to be accidental,” Sheriff Terry Surles said. “It’s looking like the cause may have been a kerosene heater. But we’re waiting for the fire marshal to make a determination.” Surles said investigators believe gasoline may have been introduced into a kerosene heater inside the RV. Surles said investigators are trying to determine if gasoline had been put into the heater or if other fuel used in the heater may have contained a small amount of gasoline. “They tell me a single drop of gasoline can have the same effect in this situation as a whole can of it in a heater,” Surles said. |
||
|
|
About Kellie L. Long
| Kellie Long is Editor of The St. Clair Times. |
Contact Kellie L. Long
|
Phone::
E-mail: |
(205) 884-3400
klong@thestclairtimes.com |