Additional Details Emerge in Fatal Fire

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published June 4, 2019 4:45 am
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PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — Additional details have been released on the fatal fire that occurred early Monday morning in Punxsutawney.

The PA State Fire Marshal, Jefferson County Coroner Brenda Shumaker, Punxsutawney Police Department, and Punxsutawney Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of a fire that damaged a two-story wood frame home at 219 West Liberty Street in the Borough of Punxsutawney.

The fire was reported to the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Services around 4:10 a.m. on Monday, June 3.

Central Fire Department, Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company, Lindsey Volunteer Fire Company, McCalmont Township Volunteer Fire Company, Big Run Area Volunteer Fire Company, Sykesville Volunteer Fire Company, Reynoldsville Fire Company, and Perry Township Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to the scene, while Brookville Volunteer Fire Company and Oliver Township Fire Company were placed on standby.

Emergency personnel cleared the scene around 8:35 a.m. while the Ridgway-based State Police Fire Marshal Unit remained to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.

The fire originated on the second floor of the home. Smoking materials and home health oxygen were located within the area of origin.

The cause of the fire was accidental in nature.

Damage is estimated at $250,000.00.

The victim, 72-year-old Sally F. Geer, of Punxsutawney, was unable to escape the second floor and subsequently passed away in the fire.

Jefferson County Coroner Brenda Shumaker pronounced Geer deceased shortly after 5:00 a.m. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5.

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