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Investigation into whether vape pen led to St. Pete man's death continues

 
Published May 7, 2018

ST. PETERSBURG — Investigators are still trying to determine whether a man who died in a house fire this past weekend did so as the result of an exploding vape pen.

Tallmadge D'Elia, 38, was found dead in a home on the 300 block of 19th Avenue NE on Saturday after firefighters fought a house fire there.

RELATED: Police investigating if St. Pete man died after vaping pen exploded in his face

St. Pete Fire Rescue Lt. Steve Lawrence said the department is still waiting on results from the Pinellas-Pasco County Medical Examiner's office to complete the investigation.

The victim suffered facial injuries that investigators believe could have been caused by a vape pen exploding close to his face. The official cause of death has yet to be determined.