Man, 2 Pets Dead In Bensalem House Fire: PD

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — A man and his two pets were killed in a house fire Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Fire crews responded to the 3000 block of Gilbert Drive for a house fire at 1:52 p.m. Tuesday, but found dark soot on the windows instead of fire and smoke when they arrived, police said.

Firefighters from Bensalem Fire Rescue and the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department entered the front door and found a resident dead in a chair in the living room.

The victim was identified as 77-year-old Allan Schoppy. A pet dog and cat were also found dead inside the home.

Fire investigators said the fire inside the home was extinguished by the man and may have happened overnight.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it does not appear suspicious, fire officials and police said.