An early Sunday morning house fire claimed the life of a Forest County resident.

At 2 a.m., Sunday, November 17, Tionesta Fire Department was called to 114 Sunnyside Drive, Tionesta, Green Township, for a structure fire.

Tionesta FD Chief Ray Copland requested the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police after discovering a deceased victim at the scene of the structure fire. The Forest County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene at 4:03 a.m.

Deputy Coroner Cody B. Magill found deceased Lawrence J. Foley, the sole resident of the home. Foley was officially pronounced dead at 4:27 a.m.

The cause of death was ruled as massive thermal trauma due to structure fire. The manner was considered to be accidental.

Investigation into the structure fire is ongoing, however it was apparent that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning oil fed furnace at the residence and is considered accidental in nature.

Assisting on scene was the Forest County Coroner, Tionesta Ambulance Service, Tionesta Fire Department, West Hickory Fire Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the State Police Fire Marshal.