Coroner’s office: Man died of smoke inhalation

Staff report

COITSVILLE

The Mahoning County coroner’s office has released a preliminary cause of death for a man found dead in his front yard during a fire Thursday.

Courtney Bouchie of the coroner’s office said preliminary tests show that Garnald J. Agee, no age available, of 302 S. Hubbard Road, died of smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were called to the Hubbard Road address just after 12 a.m. Thursday to find the home on fire. Agee was found lying outside the house unresponsive.

Firefighters and ambulance personnel worked to revive Agee at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Chris Manack, Coitsville assistant fire chief, said the cause of the fire still is under investigation. He said firefighters are working with state fire marshal’s office investigators to determine how the fire started.

Manack said no one was home with Agee when the blaze began. A pet bird was killed in the fire, and firefighters have not been able to find Agee’s dog, Manack said.