JOPPA, Md. — A Christmas morning house fire claimed the life of a 68-year-old man in Joppa, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 200 block of Doncaster Road around 7 a.m. on Dec. 25 to assist in the investigation. The victim, identified as Roger Butash, was found deceased inside the residence.
According to investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division, there were no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances in Butash’s death. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal continues to investigate the cause of the fire, and a final determination has yet to be made.
“Our hearts are with the victim’s family after suffering an unthinkable loss on Christmas morning,” the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, thanking first responders for their critical support to the family and community.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the origin of the fire that led to this tragic loss.