A fast-moving fire that authorities say probably was started by a cigarette took the life of a 20-year educator in the Ambridge Area School District.
The body of Herman Joyner, 61, was found near his bed Sunday after fire destroyed his home on Glenwood Drive in Ambridge, said David Drewnowski,the borough's fire chief. The Beaver County coroner's office said Monday the cause of death was carbon monoxide intoxication.
State police fire marshals were still investigating, but Drewnowski said it appeared Joyner had been smoking in bed.
Ambridge firefighters responded to the call at 5:30 a.m. and arrived to find flames shooting from every side of the single-story, brick-and-siding structure, Drewnowski said. Thirty-five firefighters from Ambridge, Harmony and Fair Oaks had the fire under control in about one hour, he said.
Drewnowski said a family member had been staying with Joyner, but was not at the house at the time of the fire. No information on funeral arrangements was available yesterday.
Longtime co-worker Christina Trombetta said Joyner suffered a stroke nearly two years ago and had not been working since fall 2007.
She said Joyner was a caring person — an art teacher who walked across the hall of Anthony Wayne Elementary School on her first day to extend his friendship. Along with other faculty at the school, he was supportive when Trombetta's mother died in 2001.
"He was very kind to me," Trombetta said. "He had a strong Christian faith. ... When he said he'd pray for you, you knew he meant it."
Noted for his deep, resonant voice, Joyner sung in a church choir, and sometimes to his students. Trombetta said Joyner would often chant or "sing-song" instructions about scissoring and coloring to the kindergartners and first-graders.
Joyner moved to the high school as a guidance counselor in 2002, coaching volleyball and sponsoring the African-American Club.
"He had a heart of gold," said Ambridge Area High School Principal Alan Fritz. "He could be stern when he had to be, fun-loving when he could be.
"He would do anything for kids. He liked them, and you could tell."
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