LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Two victims killed in separate fires in two Lower Bucks County communities have been identified, authorities said.
The fires happened in Bensalem early Tuesday morning and Bristol Borough on Monday night, authorities said.
Bucks County Coroner Patti Campi told Patch Tuesday afternoon that Christine Toal, 56, of Bensalem, died in the Bensalem fire.
Campi said that the cause and manner of death are “pending investigation” until toxicology results are received and the fire marshall finishes their investigation.
Mary Miller, 75, of Bristol Borough, was identified in the fire there on Monday night. Miller was pronounced dead at the scene, Campi said.
She added that Miller’s cause and manner of death will be “pending Investigation” until toxicology results are received and the fire marshall finishes their investigation.
The Bensalem Township Police Department, Fire, and EMS responded to a house fire in the 2700 block of Bellview Drive in Bensalem at 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday, finding heavy smoke coming from the home.
A male resident was outside the home and said a woman was inside. Firefighters entered the front door under heavy smoke conditions and located an unconscious woman in the area of the kitchen.
Police said Toal was given life-saving efforts, but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital for evaluation and treatment, police said.
Fire crews contained and extinguished the fire before it spread to neighboring homes. There were no reported injuries to public safety personnel.
Battalion Chief Nicholas Altomare and Bensalem Township Police Detectives responded to conduct a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.
The fire remains an active and ongoing investigation.
The Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department and the Feasterville Fire Company were among the crews who battled the fire near the entrance of Faust Elementary School.
Engine 65 arrived within three minutes to find a single-family dwelling with smoke showing; police reported two residents unaccounted for and believed to be inside. DC68 arrived and established Bensalem Command.
“Crews initiated an aggressive, quick search and attack of the fire, where a male was immediately located by the doorway. The female occupant was found soon after. The thoughts and prayers of our entire department go out to the family and friends of those affected by this tragedy. It’s a sad day for our Nottingham Village families,” the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department said.
Meanwhile, nearly 100 firefighters from Bucks County battled a three-alarm fire that killed one person and damaged six homes in Bristol Borough at 6:10 p.m. on Monday along the 300 block of Dorrance Street, according to multiple reports.
“The power lines were sparking and down when we arrived, which made it difficult to get in the front entrance,” Bristol Borough Police Chief Joe Moors told Action News. “Flames grew dangerously close to electrical wires, which dropped and began sparking.”