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Coroner identifies man found dead inside burning home, rules incident an accident

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Coroner's Office identified Joseph Elton Johnson, 46, as the man found dead following a residential fire on Roberts Lane and Central Avenue on April 12.

According to the coroner, around 11:45 a.m. Kern County Fire crews responded to the scene of a burning home. After crews put out out the flames, Johnson was found dead inside.

A postmortem exam showed the cause of death was smoke inhalation, according to the coroner. The manner of death was an accident.

The Kern County Fire Department's Arson Unit is still investigating this fire. Anyone with information is asked to call (661) 391-3480.

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