ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio has identified a 68-year-old woman who died after a fire broke out at a house in Allentown Tuesday morning.
Hanh T Phan was pronounced dead Tuesday at the scene shortly after 10:30 a.m., Buglio said in a news release.
Buglio said the cause of death was determined to be inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries due to the fire, and the manner of death was ruled an accident.
“On behalf of everyone at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Phan during this incredibly difficult time,” Buglio said in the news release.
“Our thoughts are also with her friends, neighbors, and the entire Allentown community as they mourn this tragic loss.”
“We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to the firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers, and all first responders whose professionalism, dedication, and compassion were evident throughout this incident,” Buglio said.
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Crews responded to the 400 block of Jerome Street after the fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. At 9:37 a.m., the first arriving company found fire showing on the side of the home and declared a working fire.
Crews conducting searches found Phan inside the house on the first floor. She was found dead, according to the Allentown fire department.
The fire was brought under control shortly after the arrival of the second alarm companies.
Allentown paramedics transported four firefighters to a local hospital for treatment. Three were for heat-related illnesses, and one for a laceration.
All have been discharged and expected to return to duty soon.
The fire moved furiously through the two story home on North Jerome Street Tuesday morning, and although neighbors say firefighters arrived quickly, it was too late to save the woman inside.
The residents, who are temporarily displaced, are being assisted by Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the Red Cross.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Fire Marshals Office with assistance from the Allentown Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and the ATF.