Aug 2, 2024 By Zach Petroff 2 min read

Two Dunbar Township residents were killed Thursday morning when their home caught fire.

Fayette County Coroner Dr. Bob Baker identified the two who died as Lori Cossell, 53, and David Brooks Sr., 72, of Dunbar. He said family members who came to the home were able to positively identify them.

“It’s a shame. They were really great people,” said neighbor Fred Hall. “They were the kind of people who would drop everything to do you a favor.”

Nearly seven hours after the firefighters were called to the 126 Hard Hill Road home, the smell of fire still lingered in the air. Traces of ash and soot could be seen on the hood of a blue pick-up truck found about 12 feet away from the house, and scorch marks appeared to stain much of the outside brick of the home.

Firefighters were summoned to the multi-story home just after 3 a.m. At the scene, Baker said the bodies were found upstairs in what is to be assumed is a bedroom.

District Attorney Mike Aubele said police are continuing to examine the circumstances of the fire.

“All I can say at the moment is that the investigation is ongoing, and no determination as to cause (of the fire) has been made,” he said late Thursday afternoon.

Trooper Kalee Barnhart, public information officer for state police in Uniontown, said that no additional injuries were reported at the scene, and Baker said an autopsy will be conducted.

Hall said he had been friends with Brooks all of his life, and was shocked when he heard that his life-long friend and Cossell had died.

“You could have knocked me over with a feather,” he said. “It’s just so hard to believe.”

Hall said Cossell and Brooks moved into the house about five years ago with their son.

During the investigation Baker said the police were able to recover a dog that was found in the basement. The dog, Dozer, is currently recovering at the Scottdale Veterinary Clinic.

State police said the cause and origin of the fire are still being investigated by the fire marshal.