May 31--SCHUYLKILL HAVEN -- A woman died when fire broke out inside her home Friday afternoon in the borough.
Schuylkill Haven police Chief Jeff Walcott said Hannah Wassel, 71, was found just inside her front door after firefighters responded at 1:19 p.m. to her 421 E. Main St. home.
Wassel was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:45 p.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Debra Detweiler.
Walcott said Wassel had previously fallen and fractured her arm and was taken for a doctor's visit earlier in the day Friday by her children.
The woman was returned to her home by family members a short time before the fire was discovered, he said.
Walcott and state police fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns of the Frackville station ruled the fire to be accidental.
Firefighters from Minersville and Pine Grove were called to the fire initially since they were on standby in the borough because Schuylkill Haven firefighters were at the scene of a major fire and subsequent death investigation just outside of the borough in South Manheim Township.
Quick action by those firefighters, who were assisted by volunteers from the borough and other surrounding communities, contained the fire to Wassel's home.
However, adjoining homes at 419 and 423 E. Main St. sustained some smoke and water damage.
A portion of East Main Street was closed for several hours while crews packed equipment and authorities investigated the fire.
Copyright 2014 - Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
