Fire investigations have determined the cause of an apartment fire that claimed the life of a Laureldale woman on Nov. 1.
Trooper Corey Heimbach, a state police fire marshal, said in a release that the fire was a result of “an electrical event involving an item plugged into an electrical outlet behind a loveseat” in the living room of the first-floor rear apartment at 3409 Kutztown Road.
The fire was classified as accidental.
Amy Valentine, 52, died in the fire. An autopsy determined her death was the result of smoke inhalation and thermal burns, officials at the Berks County coroner’s office said.
Heimback said the determination was made after a weeklong examination conducted by the Troop L Fire Marshal Unit with the assistance of resources from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Crews were dispatched at 7:16 a.m. after multiple 911 callers reported a house on fire.
Valentine was found dead in the living room where the fire originated.
All other occupants of the apartment house got out safely before firefighters arrived.
At least one working smoke detector was present at the time of the fire.
Two cats perished in the fire.
Damage was estimated at $400,000.