Crime & Safety

Fatal Emmaus Fire: Police Say Investigation Complete, Cause of Fire Unknown

Six months after four people were killed in an apartment fire in Emmaus, investigators announce that their work is finished and the fire's cause is undetermined.

οΏΌThe cause of a devastating St. Patrick's Day fire that killed four people living in an apartment building in Emmaus remains undetermined, theΒ Emmaus Police Department said in a release Wednesday.

The investigation, which is now complete,Β determined that the fire appears to have originated on the 3rd floor rear bedroom and attic space area located immediately above, according to the release. Previously,Β police had said that the cause of the fire was not suspicious.

Killed in the fire atΒ 36-38 S. Fifth St. were:

  • Melissa Twining, 48, and her son,Β Montana Twining, 16, who lived on the building's third floor. Montana was an Emmaus High School student.
  • David Jenkins, Jr., 65, of 16 S. 10th St., Emmaus.
  • Lena Marie Adamo, 56, whoΒ lived on the second floor.Β 
Coroners needed to use dental records and DNA to identify the badly burned bodies. On Tuesday, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office ruled the four deaths accidental.Β 

The building, which has been torn down, was owned by Michael and Loretta Boyko of Macungie. ItΒ was a former funeral home that was divided into apartments.

The investigation was conducted by Emmaus police,Β the coroner's office, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, the Pennsylvania state police andΒ the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Anyone who may have additional information about this fire is asked to contact the Emmaus Police Department at 610-967-3113.

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