Update: Two Dead in House Fire on Walbert Avenue

4 p.m. UPDATE: The second person killed in the early morning fire Wednesday at 1920 Walbert Ave. has been identified by the Lehigh County Coroner's Office as Michael Hutchison, 48. His brother, Russell L. Hutchison, 43, was also killed in the blaze. The men died from smoke inhalation, according to autopsies performed Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the three-alarm blaze is still under investigation. Firefighters had pulled the men out of the second floor of the burning home. 

Two people were killed in an early morning fire Wednesday at 1920 Walbert Ave., next to the vacant Charlie Brown's restaurant.

Russell L. Hutchison, 43, was pronounced dead at 3:41 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, according to Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim.

The second person killed -- a male -- has not yet been identified. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:55 a.m.

An autopsy will be performed this afternoon to determine the exact cause of the deaths. 

The fire broke out prior to 2:45 a.m., the coroner report said.

South Whitehall police and firefighters, as well as the state police fire marshall, are investigating the blaze.

The coroner's office is seeking information on Hutchison's next of kin. Anyone with information is asked to call the coroner's office at 610-782-3426.

According to Lehigh County assessment records, the house at 1920 Walbert Ave. is owned by Robert Inselmann and Barbara Harkins of 5219 Surrey Court, Upper Macungie.  

Patch will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

In October, firefighters battled a blaze next door at the vacant Charlie Brown's restaurant. The former restaurant is still boarded up.