Officials ID Man Killed In Holden House Fire

HOLDEN (AP) — Authorities are identifying the man whose body was found in the basement of a house destroyed by a three-alarm fire in Holden.

Authorities announced on Thursday that investigators believe 63-year-old Raj Pathi started the blaze that killed him. His body was discovered in the basement after firefighters controlled the fire on Sunday.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. says Pathi lived in the home at Farragut Way. He says authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the starting of the blaze and cause and manner of Pathi's death.

A neighbor called 911 around noon on Sunday to report hearing explosions and seeing fire coming from the home at the end of a cul-de-sac.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan told The Telegram & Gazette that there are no natural gas lines to the building.

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