The fire that killed a 40-year Newtown Township resident remains under investigation, but her death has been ruled accidental.
Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck identified the victim of the fire as Nancy Smollar, 76. She was found to have died from smoke inhalation and the cause of her death was ruled accidental.
Newtown Emergency Services Department Chief Glenn Forsyth said this week that the report on the cause of the fire will be done in the coming weeks.
The fire happened on Sunday, January 1 at approximately 5:30 a.m. at a residence on Headley Drive near Auburn Place off Newtown-Yardley Road in Newtown Township.
“Unfortunately, this was the first fatal fire we’ve had in Newtown in 42 years,” Forsyth said. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family.”
According to an obituary, Smollar was born in Delaware County and lived in Newtown Township for more than 40 years. She previously had worked for four decades at Bell Telephone as a manager.
During recent briefings to Newtown Borough and Newtown Township officials, Forsyth said the there was only one smoke detector located in the residence.
The fire chief said his crews often find aging old smoke detectors in homes in Newtown borough and township. He urged residents to keep up to date on their detectors and replace them when needed.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke detector be replaced every 10 years. They said smoke alarms in homes should be interconnected so all sound if one detects smoke.
