The cause of a fire that left a woman dead in her Stouchsburg home last week remains undetermined after a multiday investigation, the state police fire marshal’s office said.
The fire was discovered Friday about 2 p.m. in the 100 block of Main Street in the Marion Township village near the Lebanon County line. A neighbor reported seeing black smoke from the house.
Bystanders indicated an elderly female was likely inside. Firefighters battled heat and low visibility, searching for the occupant.
The Marion Township Fire Company chief requested a second alarm. Crews from Berks and Lebanon counties responded.
Hampered by poor visibility and excessive clutter, firefighters eventually found the woman dead in the living room of the two-story home.
Crews needed about 45 minutes to control the blaze. Damage was estimated at $300,000.
The state police fire marshal unit determined the fire originated in the living room, but investigators have been unable to pinpoint a cause so the fire is classified as undetermined.
The Berks County coroner’s office is working to positively identify the woman, whose body was burned beyond recognition.