Cause of death confirmed in structure fire

PULLMAN — The Whitman County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause and manner of death of a man found in a fatal structure fire on Dec. 31.

Pillars confirmed Steven Paul Sargent, 60, of Pullman, died from asphyxia due to inhalation of smoke and the manner of death accidental.

Sargent was found deceased when Pullman firefighters responded at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, to a small structure fire on College Hill at the 400 block of Northeast Maple Street.

Upon discovery, the investigation was turned over to Pullman Police detectives and Whitman County Coroner Pillars.

Pullman Fire Department spokesman Glenn Johnson reported a neighbor in a nearby apartment building stated she smelled something similar to burning plastic and saw smoke coming from the small structure immediately calling 911.

According to initial investigations, Sargent was not of college age or connected with the university.

The property owner stated the dwelling was inspected annually by a state agency which provided financial assistant to Sargent, according to reports.

Johnson reported that fire officials stated a power line was connected to a nearby apartment and there was an electric meter attached to the damaged structure.

Firefighters are reported to have found smoke detectors in the building, next to an old home converted into apartment buildings. The electrical extension cords in the structure were not used to power the accessory unit due to the building not having its own electricity meter.

Traffic on Whitman and Malden Lane was diverted for several hours while fire equipment and emergency vehicles were present.

According to reports, Jones was not able to find a specific cause for the blaze, narrowing the spark down to discarded cigarettes or extension cords.