Arson investigators are trying to determine what caused a fatal fire on Aldine Mail Route and the 500 block of Lilja Friday. Homeowner Paul Lewandowski, 47, a father of two, died in the early morning blaze. Firefighters found his body in the living room. His two teenage children were at their mothers house.
The fire was discovered by a next door neighbor about 4:45 a.m., awakened by a barking dog. When firefighters arrived, they retrieved his body from the living room.
Although it was not clear what caused the fire, investigators noted that their was not electricity in the house, and an extension cord ran from a neighbors building to his. It is thought that a space heater may have overheated.
Houston has had over 8 fire related deaths this week alone, the fire marshal noted, and cautioned everyone to install or check their smoke detectors.