Buffalo Township man dies in camp fire
HARMONY TWP, Forest County — A Butler County man died in a fire Sunday night or Monday morning that burned down his hunting camp in a remote portion of Forest County.
Thomas Pivni, 57, of Buffalo Township was burned but likely died of smoke inhalation, said Forest County Coroner Norman Wimer this morning.
"We can assume that,"Wimer said, "since he was found in bed."
The state police fire marshal's office in Tionesta is still investigating the accidental blaze on Fogle Farm Road. Police said no cause has been determined, however the investigation is focusing on a wood stove that possibly over heated.
Pivni, who was a supervisor at Heckett MultiServe, was alone at the camp for a long weekend, authorities said. The camp, described as a small mobile home with an addition, has been in Pivni's family for years.
Authorities said Pivni was last seen Sunday evening when he visited a friend at a residence about one mile down the road. He told the friend he was returning to his camp.
Due to the remoteness of the camp, investigators don't know when the fire started. The police time frame is between 8 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday.
No one saw the fire, which eventually burned itself out. AHarmony Township official plowing snowed-packed roads late Monday afternoon discovered Pivni's burned out camp.
Wimer pronounced Pivni dead at 4:40 p.m.