The State Fire Marshal’s Office has released the findings from the fatal fire at Robin’s Hardware in November 2017.
The body found inside the building has been identified as Andres Manual Miguel, 20, of Henderson. Miguel died of smoke and soot inhalation and the St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office ruled the death as accidental.
“Just after midnight on November 19, 2017, the Henderson Fire Department was called to a fire at Robin’s Hardware store, located at 1415 Henderson Highway in Henderson,” Ashley Rodrigue, Public Affairs director, Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, said in an April 11 release.
“The local fire agency extinguished the fire and cleared the scene, Later in the morning, when the store’s owners were sifting through the rubble, a body was discovered inside near the main entrance of the building. Henderson Police then requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, to which State Fire Marshal Chief H. “Butch” Browning responded.
“The following day, an area male resident, Andres Manuel Miguel, was reported missing. Through the joint efforts of the Henderson Police Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office, along with staff from the Louisiana Forensics Center and State Police Crime Lab, it was determined that the body found was that of Andres Manuel Miguel.
“State Fire Marshal’s investigators thoroughly processed the scene, which included the utilization of one of the agency’s K-9 units. Several areas of interest detected by the K-9 were tested, but all results were negative for accelerants.
“Due to the extent of the fire damage, the cause and origin of this fire remains undetermined at this time.”
