ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman who died during a two-alarm house fire Tuesday morning in Allentown.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio identified the victim as 68-year-old Hanh T. Phan. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 10:30 a.m.
An examination determined that Phan died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries caused by the fire. Her death was ruled accidental.
Firefighters were dispatched to the 400 block of North Jerome Street at approximately 9:30 a.m. The first arriving company reported fire showing from the side of the two-story home and declared a working fire at 9:37 a.m.
Crews conducting a search of the residence found Phan on the first floor. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The fire spread rapidly through the home before being brought under control shortly after the arrival of additional companies assigned to the second alarm.
Neighbors said firefighters arrived quickly, but the fire had already moved rapidly through the two-story residence.
Allentown paramedics transported four firefighters to a local hospital for treatment. Three were treated for heat-related illnesses, while another was treated for a laceration.
All four firefighters have since been discharged and are expected to return to duty soon.
Other residents of the home were temporarily displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Allentown Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from the Allentown Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office extended its deepest condolences to Phan’s family and loved ones.
