Monday, May 24, 2021

Cause of Fatal Fire in Hegins Township Ruled Accidental

An investigation by a State Police Fire Marshal has ruled a fatal fire over the weekend in Hegins Township accidental.

Around 10:00am, Saturday, emergency personnel were dispatched to 1000 East Main Street, Hegins Township for a possible house fire with entrapment.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find the home fully involved and called in a working house fire with two individuals unaccounted for.

Interior firefighters were able to enter the burning home and find both victims.

The victims would later be identified as Tawnya Bowman and her son Daniel, who was 4 years old.  Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the Schuylkill County Coroner's office.

Firefighters remained on the scene for hours trying to bring the fire under control.

According to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper and Fire Marshall Joseph F. Burns, an investigation revealed the fire to be accidental and originated on a couch in the first floor living area where Tawnya Bowman resided.

Damages are estimated in excess of $75,000.

State Police said that Hegins Fire Officials and Hegins Township Police assisted with the investigation.