CLAY TWP — Investigators believe a homeowner Wednesday morning set fire to his log house on Beaver Dam Road before he killed himself in his pickup truck outside the unattached garage.

State police spent much of the day searching for an answer to one question — why?

David L. Helbling, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, Butler County Coroner William Young III said.

Police recovered the man’s pistol in the truck. Authorities did not immediately find a note that could explain his actions.

Neighbors on the rural road did not seem to know much about Helbling, who bought the house more than a year ago but only recently began moving in.

A motorist noticed the fire shortly before 10 a.m. and went up the steep driveway to see if he could help. The passer-by opened a door but was unable to get inside due to the smoke and heat.

When he went to inspect the garage, he looked in the truck and found Helbling unresponsive and slumped forward.

Volunteer firefighters from West Sunbury, Unionville, Slippery Rock and Prospect arrived but were unable to save the house. A back hoe was later called to search for anyone inside.

The state police fire marshal’s office was still investigating the blaze after 3 p.m.

The police crime unit is handling the death investigation.

Lt. Steve Ignatz said police are anxious to track down family members to question them about the circumstances of Helbling’s death.