LAFAYETTE — The body of a man was found inside a burned-out metal pole barn early Wednesday, and authorities are working to identify him.
Investigators believe they know the identity of the man but must confirm it using dental records since the man was badly burned in the fire, said Lt. Mark Baker of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
His name is being withheld pending positive identification and the notification of his family.
The fire was reported late Tuesday night at 3683 Herr Road. The Lafayette-Jackson Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, Baker said.
After the fire was out, firefighters discovered the body of a man and called the sheriff’s office. The man’s body was sent to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office in Toledo for an autopsy that was performed Wednesday, Baker said.
“We do know there was no foul play,” Baker said explaining the body had no signs of wrong doing like a stabbing wound or blunt force trauma.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation, the fire department reported.
While on scene, fire crews were told someone may be inside the building but due to intense fire they were unable to enter to search for the person, the fire department reported. Once the fire was extinguished, crews searched the building and located the victim, the agency reported.
The building is part of a fish hatchery on a property with several ponds. The pole barn was used as part of the operation on the hatchery, Sheriff Matt Treglia said.
The fire department reported the property was being used as an additional location for Sugar Creek Fishery LLC located at 7799 Sugar Creek Road.
Property damage was estimated at $64,500, the fire department reported.
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