LANCASTER, Pa. – West Hempfield Township Police identified the man found dead in an early morning house fire as John D. Kroplesky. The 46 year old truck driver, whose body was found in an upstairs bedroom, had suffered a single gun shot wound.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 3056 Todd Lane at 3 a.m. Wednesday. The house was completely engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading.
Kroplesky was scheduled to be evicted later in the day from the home after falling behind on paying rent. Police say he lived alone. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine his exact cause of death.
The fire itself was ruled to be Arson. Damage to the house and contents and vehicles is estimated at over $250,000