BRIEFS/LOCAL FIRE

From staff reports

Questions linger in fire fatality

NAVARRE — An autopsy performed on the victim of a Tuesday fire hasn’t answered questions asked by Santa Rosa County Sheriff ’s Office officials. Jerry Henderson, public information officer for the Sheriff ’s Office, said more tests will be conducted today to help determine the cause of the man’s death.

He said it is too early to say whether the fire and the man’s death were accidental or if foul play was involved.

Deputies reportedly noticed smoke coming from the man’s Rachel Court house as they responded to a residential alarm Tuesday. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, the bodies of a man and his two birds, two dogs and cat were found.

The man’s identity has not been released and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.