Name Of Woman Killed In Newtown Township Fire Released By Coroner

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The name of the victim of the first fatal fire in Newtown Township in more than 40 years has been released by officials.

Nancy Smollar, 76, died January 1 from smoke inhalation after fire broke out in her townhome on New Year’s Day, said Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck. The cause of death has been ruled
accidental, she said.

Smollar was a 40 year resident of Newtown. She retired after a career as a manager with Bell Telephone, according to her obituary.

Fire broke out around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 1 at Smollar’s townhouse in the Headley Trace development just off the Newtown-Yardley Road.

“Upon arrival we had heavy fire on the first floor of the dwelling,” reported Chief Glenn Forsyth of the Newtown Emergency Services.

Crews were on scene for several hours, initially knocking down the fire and then conducting cleanup operations, said the chief. The fire was placed under control at approximately 6:02 a.m.

The Newtown Emergency Services and the Newtown Fire Association were assisted at the scene by firefighters from Yardley- Makefield, Langhorne-Middletown, Northampton, Upper Makefield, William Penn, Penndel and Falls Township. Newtown Ambulance and Newtown Township Police were also on the scene.

The fire remains under investigation by the Newtown Emergency Services Department, the Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Newtown Township Police Department.

“There was one smoke detector in the residence. More would have helped in making a difference in the outcome of the fire,” said Chief Forsyth in his report to the Newtown Borough Council this month.

“Unfortunately it was the first fatal fire we’ve had in Newtown in 42 years. Our hearts and prayers are with the family,” he said.

According to Forsyth, firefighters are seeing more and more issues with aging smoke detectors in the borough and in the township.

“We’re running into a lot of issues with smoke detectors,” he said. “Check the expiration date on your smoke detectors. Take them down and check the dates. They all have an expiration date.“

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.

FEMA also suggests installing them in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. For the best protection, make sure all smoke alarms are interconnected - when one sounds, they all sound.

If the smoke alarm sounds, FEMA says it’s important to get outside and stay outside. Go to an outside pre-determined meeting place and notify the fire department from a cellphone or a neighbor’s phone. And stay outside until the fire department says it’s safe to go back inside.

Anyone with questions about smoke detectors or home fire safety is encouraged to reach out to their local firefighters for suggestions and advice on how to make their home fire safe.