Fatal West Pennsylvania Fire Prompts Wrongful Death Suit

A West Virginia father of three children who died in a southwestern Pennsylvania house fire that also killed four other people claims in a lawsuit that the owner failed to repair the furnace.

Daniel Blake, of Keyser, claims space heaters and a log-burning fireplace were used to heat the house in Franklin Township, Greene County.

But owner James Roberts, of Wayne Township, says the furnace worked. He says tenants Steven and Rebecca Eddy had apparently discontinued gas service, even after he helped pay the bill.

A fire marshal blamed an electric space heater for the Feb. 17, 2007, fire.

Blake’s three children died in the fire along with their mother, 26-year-old Rebecca Eddy. Eddy’s niece and two nephews also died.

Blake filed the suit Monday.
___

Information from: Observer-Reporter