Towanda Fire Claims the Life of a Two Year Boy

2/18/2013 (Updated 6:52:41 PM)

TOWANDA, PA -- An early morning house fire on Saturday claimed the life of two year old John David Yoder III at 106 North Fourth Street, Towanda, PA in Towanda Borough.

Police said Yoder III, his mother Amber and Father John D Yoder II, and infant brother Sawyer Yoder were all asleep at the time of the fire.  Amber, John and Sawyer were able to escape the residence by exiting a second story window.

Fire crews were unsuccessful in retrieving Yoder III from his bedroom where he was sleeping.  He was discovered in bed upon discovery.

According to Bradford County Cornoner Thomas Carman, the immediate cause of death is smoke inhalation.  The manner of the death is pending the determined cause of the fire by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall.

Yoder III's family were transported via ambulance to Towanda Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released.