The Emmaus Police Department, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals Unit, representatives from the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Lehigh County Coroner's Office and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, has determined the fire at 36-38 South 5th Street, Emmaus March 17 is not suspicious in nature.

"No indication of criminal activity was found during the course of the investigation," a statement from the police department noted. "The fire was determined to have originated on the third floor of 38 S. 5th Street."

According to James L. Farnsworth, building-zoning official for the borough of Emmaus, the building is owned by Michael Boyko, of Macungie.

Farnsworth said the building at 36-38 South 5th Street, Emmaus was last inspected in 2005.

He said according to a borough ordinance, "the owner of a rental property is required to contact the borough to schedule an inspection prior to a move-in and a move-out. There is an inspection checklist and if the property is fine, they receive a certificate by the borough."

Farnsworth said sprinklers and fire escapes were not a requirement of borough code at the time the building was converted.

He said the building was released back to the owner March 20.

The properties on either side of the home were vacated for the residents' protection and were saved due to the firefighting efforts March 17.

Those homes will not be demolished.

The home damaged by the fire has been posted condemed with the intention to demolish. There is a fence surrounding the property.

"People should stay back from that area now," Farnsworth said. "It is for the residents' safety."

Telephone calls to Boyko were not returned.