SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A man found dead on the lawn of his South Manheim Township home Friday morning died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said an autopsy conducted Saturday on Gerald E. Hale, 46, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest determined the shot was to the right side of Hale's chest and pierced his heart, resulting in death.
The manner of death, however, is still pending.
Moylan said he is not ruling on the manner of death until the results of a toxicology test are received and the investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Squad is completed.
Hale's body was found about 8:30 a.m. Friday outside of his home at 30 S. Shue String Lane, which was fully engulfed in flames.
Hale lived in the home with his wife, Catherine L. Covach-Hale, and the couple's two children, neighbors said Friday.
Hale was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:03 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Joseph Pothering, Minersville, and a virtual autopsy Friday night revealed he suffered "fatal internal hemorrhaging" due to a gunshot wound.
Moylan said the wound suffered by Hale came from a handgun, although he was not sure of the type and caliber of weapon.
State police at Schuylkill Haven did not release any update on their investigation into the shooting and fire.
Fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns of the Frackville station was on scene along with fire marshal Trooper Thomas Finn of the Schuylkill Haven station.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Lehman arrived later Friday morning and left after reviewing the scene and conferring with investigators.
The head of the crime unit for Troop L of the state police offered very little information Friday afternoon.
"The investigation is in its infancy," Lt. Christopher Blugis said. "We're investigating a fire and a deceased middle age man."
Firefighters from Schuylkill Haven and surrounding areas were called just after 8:30 a.m. for a report of an "unknown type fire" at the Shue String Lane home, located just off Schuylkill Mountain Road.
At the scene, firefighters were met with a fully engulfed home and a man, later identified as Hale, lying in the grass in the same area.
The fire was brought under control about 9:30 a.m., but firefighters remained at the scene on standby in case the flames would reignite while police were conducting their investigation.
The fire brought firefighters from Schuylkill Haven and surrounding communities to the scene. Due to the rural area and lack of a fire hydrant system, two tanker task forces were dispatched bringing firefighters from numerous other parts of Schuylkill County as well as from neighboring Berks County to the scene.