LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Update, July 9: The Mount Joy Township home explosion where David and Victoria Preston were found dead has been ruled a homicide-suicide according to authorities.
Through their investigation and multiple lab tests, officials determined Victoria died from toxic levels of fentanyl and other medications. She was already dead at the time of the fire.
Officials say David had the control and ability to increase the medication to Victoria.
David is found to have died from extensive smoke and thermal injuries both internal and external.
His injuries are believed to have been from him intentionally igniting a flammable substance on and around his body and throughout the residence, investigators said.
According to officials, David's remains indicated a presence of flammable substance/s on his body and the inhalation after the substance was ignited.
Update, 4:30 p.m. June 4: The Lancaster County Coroner's Office has identified the deceased as David J. Preston, 63, and Victoria Preston, 60. The couple owned the home.
During an autopsy, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni used dental records to make the identification. No other information was released.
The incident remains under investigation, according to Northwest Regional Police.
Previously
Two people are dead after an explosion and fire consumed a home in Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County Tuesday night.
The deaths were confirmed by Lancaster County coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, who said his office is still working to identify the bodies recovered from the scene.
Neighbors said the boom of the explosion sounded like standing right next to a cannon.
“The whole house rattled. It was almost like an earthquake,” said neighbor Donna Updegraff. “Neighbors all over heard it and started congregating up here. They thought we had an explosion or somebody here one. Then they realized that there was black smoke coming from up on top.”
When Updegraff ran toward the billowing smoke, she saw the entire house was already engulfed in flames.
“I’m a nurse so I was concerned maybe I could do something but you couldn’t get near the house,” she said. “My son said ‘Mom, we can’t get close to it. It’s too hot.’”
The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Tuesday at a home on the 100 block of Waldheim Road, which is located near Mt. Gretna Road outside Elizabethtown.
Emergency dispatch operators received reports of an explosion and a fire at the time.
Neighbors said the first explosion was followed by several smaller ones and the sound of ammunition blowing up in the heat of the fire.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. Neighbors said there are no gas lines in the area.
"We’re still doing the investigation. We’re still trying to find out what the explosion was. That’s not normal," said Det. Frank Ember, Jr. of the Northwest Lancaster County Regional Police Department.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning.