Credit: Submitted
The investigation of Tuesday’s deadly fire at the Roadhouse Inn in Bristol Township remained active Wednesday.
Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said the cause was still being probed as of afternoon. He didn’t expect a final ruling on the cause this week.
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Family members confirmed that James Crouthamel Jr., 32, was the man killed due to injuries sustained in the fire. He was pronounced dead at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Philadelphia Tuesday while firefighters were still working to put down flames at the 200-year-old building.
“He was a very nice kid and was really close with his dad, James Crouthamel Sr.,” Tiffany Ramey, Crouthamel’s stepsister, said.
The fire started around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters were on the scene quickly and worked for hours to tamp down the flames and lingering hotspots.
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Another person was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The owner of the Roadhouse Inn, Stewart Katuran, said that there were 12 rental units above the bar.
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The American Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania stated they were helping nine residents with basic needs following the fire.
Credit: Submitted
The fire marshal’s investigation determined that the blaze started on the second floor. Early images of the blaze show flames shooting from the second-floor windows.
The living areas and bar suffered fire and water damage.
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By Wednesday afternoon, contractors had boarded up the Roadhouse Inn.
In 1996, a 24-room boarding house that sat on the property was destroyed by a blazed started by a toaster oven. Two people were injured, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report from the time.
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Mike Rees, a customer, had walked into the Roadhouse Inn right as the fire alarms were activated Tuesday afternoon. He quickly left the building with customers and staff and firefighters arrived.
Katuran said he was in Philadelphia and rushed back to Bristol Township after he heard his business was ablaze. He was concerned about his customers, residents, and staff.
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Crouthamel’s family was still working on funeral arrangements as of Wednesday afternoon.
