Fire that killed 3 brothers ruled arson

SHENANGO TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A  fire that claimed the lives of three brothers has been ruled arson, state police said.

The fire broke out Thursday morning at the home that the brothers shared in Shenango Township, Lawrence County. Investigators said the victims were all in their 50s and had intellectual disabilities. They were identified as Robert, Richard and Daniel Fombelle.

State police said they are treating the case as a triple homicide  but said there is no threat to the community. Investigators said no neighbors or family members are suspects.

Maria Presnar, a witness, said she called 911 around 7:30 a.m. Thursday to report the fire after seeing smoke coming from the Circle Drive home.

During an initial search, Shenango Township Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Rishel said firefighters searched the first floor and the basement, but they did not find anyone inside the home.

Later in the day, the men were found in an area of the basement that wasn't initially visible to anyone.

Officials said the brothers likely died of smoke inhalation and that the men’s bodies did not have any bruising or trauma. Autopsies are scheduled, but the release of the full results could take up to a month, officials said.

Everyone on the secluded road is related, and one of the men's relatives tried to get inside the house to rescue the brothers, but the fire was too intense.

State police Lt. Eric Hermick said a K-9 unit looking for an accelerant hit on three areas: one inside a car parked in a driveway and two more spots in the basement.

“(An) ATF fire dog hit on some accelerants in the house, and (the) fire's patterns weren't consistent with a normal fire,” state police Cpl. Jeffrey Martin said.

State police said firearms were found in the house but not near the men's bodies.

Authorities said response times were efficient and the fire had been smoldering for a while when crews arrived.

"(An) aunt next door could smell smoke around 5 o’clock this morning. They investigated in her house and couldn't find anything. It wasn't until 7:30 (a.m.) when someone passing the house actually saw the fire,” Martin said.

Neighbors and police said the deaths of the Fombelle brothers are tragic.

"We wish that we could have been more help to them at the time,” Martin said.

Fire crews were called back to the home shortly after 6 a.m. Friday, when the fire rekindled.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage. 

Cox Media Group