Tower City Mayor Dan Daub said the community is mourning a “really wonderful young man” who was the victim of a house fire Monday.

While Schuylkill County Coroner David Moylan III hasn’t officially identified the victim because they are waiting on dental records, Daub said the man is Jonathan Murray, 28.

Daub is confident in his belief because he knows the family. A borough council member also owns the house Murray was renting.

“He loved our community. He will be sorely missed,” Daub said Tuesday.

The Schuylkill County Communications Center received a call at 2:33 a.m. Monday for a fire at 141 E. Grand Ave.

Daub heard the fire engines and alarms Monday but didn’t know until later it was Murray who died. He said his two cats also died in the fire. He praised the firefighters who responded.

“They did the best the could,” he said

He spoke with Fire Chief Michael Keiter Monday.

“Anytime you lose anybody it’s devastating for these volunteer firefighters. This is a tough one,” Daub said.

Keiter didn’t return a call for comment Monday.

The last Daub spoke to Murray was about a week ago at the bar, The Garage, that he was the manager of, which is not far from the home. He was also an assistant manager at Boyer’s in Lykens. Daub has not spoken to his parents John Murray or Jann Sapienza to give them time to grieve, although he spoke with another family member.

“Sometimes you just can’t understand why some of these things happen,” he said.

State Police Public Information Officer David Beohm said the fire is likely accidental. He said Fire Marshal John Burns is investigating.