UPDATED: 11:49 a.m., Monday:
A townhome fire in the Newtown Grant neighborhood in Newtown Township claimed the life of a woman early Monday morning, according to authorities.
Newtown Township police and Newtown Township Emergency Services were dispatched to the home in the 400 block of Mahogany Walk at approximately 4:27 a.m. for reports of a blaze.
At the scene, officers reportedly encountered heavy smoke and flames emanating from the home.
Newtown Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Nicholas Weaver said crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the home.
There were initial reports that several people may have been in the home, Weaver said, adding that it turned out only one person was home at the time.
Despite efforts to enter the residence, the intensity of the fire and smoke forced police to retreat from making entry, authorities said.
Firefighters from Newtown Fire Rescue and surrounding companies worked to extinguish the flames. The fire was placed under control just before 5 a.m.
Officials said they found a deceased elderly woman in a second-floor bedroom of the home.
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family members.
Newtown Township police and Newtown Fire Rescue were conducting an investigation into the blaze. The Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office was also at the scene.
Weaver said the cause of the fire was found to be accidental.
Newtown Township authorities have recommended residents make sure they have functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, annual chimney inspections, establish a fire escape plan, and refrain from re-entering a burning building under any circumstances.
Newtown Township Fire Rescue was assisted at the scene by the Langhorne-Middletown, Lingohocken, Northampton, Upper Makefield, and Yardley-Makefield fire companies. In addition to Newtown Ambulance Squad, Central Bucks EMS and the Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad were at the scene.
Original Story:
An investigation was underway Monday morning after a fire in the Newtown Grant development.
Around 4:30 a.m., firefighters were called to the 400 block of Mahogany Walk in Newtown Township for a reported blaze.
Crews from several area fire companies got to work at the scene and had the flames under control by 5 a.m.
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office and Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene to assist local authorities, sources said.
Details on fatalities and injuries were not immediately available.
Police, township fire officials, and the county fire marshal’s staff were at the scene and inspecting the fire-damaged townhome as of 6 a.m.
More details are expected to be released later.
