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Coroner identifies man killed in massive fire that destroyed home

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A man is dead after two homes caught fire in Lawrence County early Saturday morning.

Fire crews responded to the fires along Martin Street in New Castle around 5 a.m. One house was destroyed and another was heavily damaged in the fire.

New Castle Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kobbe said a man and a dog died in the house that was destroyed by the flames

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"We were here at 4:44 and the house was fully involved, and it caught the house next door on fire, as well," Kobbe said.

The Lawrence County Coroner's Office later identified the victim as Fletcher Hudson Jr., 40.

PHOTOS: Man, dog killed in massive fire that destroyed home

Kobbe said gas and electric lines in the area made firefighters' jobs difficult.

"We still had natural gas flowing outside the meter," Kobbe said. "The gas company was kind enough to dig that out and take care of it. We also had electrical lines involved, across the residences, to get to it."

Kobbe said the house that was heavily damaged was vacant because it was being renovated.

Neighbors told Channel 11 the man who lived inside the home was only there for the last seven or eight months with his dog.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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