EAST PETERSBURG, Pa. — Update, Jan. 24: The Lancaster County Coroner's Office says it performed an autopsy this morning and confirmed that the man found dead inside the home was Mark Hackman.
His cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his manner of death was ruled suicide. Hackman was officially pronounced dead at 10:58 p.m. on Jan. 21, according to the coroner.
Previously: One person is dead after a domestic dispute in which a man set a house on fire, the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department said.
The incident began around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, when police were called to a home in the 6000 block of High Street in East Petersburg for reports of an armed man who had been drinking and was threatening to burn the house down. The suspect was later identified as Mark Hackman, 53.
The NLCRPD says Hackman did not shoot at officers when they arrived, but they are unsure if any shots were fired during the domestic incident.
Hackman set a fire near the rear of the house, police said. Officers talked to him on the phone to try to negotiate his surrender and allow firefighters to contain the blaze. Hackman allegedly refused repeatedly.
The Lancaster County SERT was called in to help with negotiations, but Hackman ceased all communication with police, the NLCRPD said.
As the fire grew, SERT provided cover for firefighters to extinguish the flames before they could spread to neighboring houses. Once the fire was out, officers say they entered the home and found a man dead inside with two loaded guns near his body.
Although they suspect the man found dead was Hackman, police were not able to confirm his identity at this time. An autopsy will determine the cause of death for the deceased man, officials said.
Other members of the family and the family dog are safe and accounted for, police said. The last occupant ran out when Hackman set the fire. No injuries were reported in relation to the incident.
"The NLCRPD would like to express our sincere condolences to the family for this terrible loss and difficult tragedy," officers said in a press release.
Neighbors were evacuated during the incident but have since been allowed to return to their homes.
Police say there is no active threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to call NLCRPD at 717-733-0965 or Lancaster County Crime Stoppers at 800-322-1913. Tips can also be submitted through CrimeWatch via the “Submit a Tip” feature.