Coroner: Man fell into industrial furnace

A 30-year-old Berks County man died Saturday after falling into an industrial furnace at East Penn Manufacturing, the county’s acting coroner said.

John M. Evanoff, 30, of Cumru Township, died of thermal burns, acting Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach said Monday. Hollenbach said Evanoff fell a short distance into a refining kettle portion of the furnace just before midnight Saturday at the Richmond Township battery-making plant.

His death was ruled an accident.

Hollenbach said it took nearly all day for the smelter to cool down before the body could be safely recovered, about 6 p.m. Sunday.

The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, which is investigating the incident, had no comment Monday. According to OSHA and media records, Evanoff’s death is the first at East Penn since 2016, when a Lancaster County resident, Christopher Leasure, 45, was electrocuted.

In a statement, East Penn said, “Our deepest condolences and sympathies go to the family, friends and loved ones. Our hearts are tremendously grieved by this tragic and terrible loss.”

The company also said it is “working closely” with OSHA and Fleetwood authorities on an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Evanoff’s family created an online fundraiser to help with funeral, legal and living expenses. Go to gofundme.com and search his name for more information.

Founded in 1946, East Penn is a leading manufacturer of leadacid batteries and accessories for the automotive, commercial, marine and telecommunications markets. It has about 11,000 employees, and is Berks County’s largest employer.