HOGANSBURG — Dental records will be needed to identify the charred body of a man described as in his early 40s who died in a house fire that's still considered suspicious.

Franklin County Coroner Brian S. Langdon said an autopsy done Wednesday night at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, by forensic pathologist Dr. Samuel A. Livingstone couldn't determine a cause of death. Toxicology and blood tests were pending.

"It's pending further investigation," Mr. Langdon said Thursday of the autopsy. "We will need dental records to positively identify the body."

A St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police officer on patrol noticed flames coming from 306 N. Helena Road at 3 a.m. Wednesday and alerted emergency crews. Firefighters from Hogansburg, Bombay and Fort Covington responded to the fire. Fire damage to the house was extensive.

State fire investigators and a state police forensic identity team went through the fire scene Thursday to determine the cause of the fire. The fire investigators will continue their search today.

"The police are still treating it as a crime scene," said David T. Staddon, the tribal public information director. "The cause of the fire remains under investigation."

Anyone with information about the fire can call the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police at 1 (518) 358-9200.