A house fire in Adams County claims the life of an elderly woman on Sunday. Firefighters were called around 7:30 a.m. to a home along the 1800 block of Mount Hope Road in Hamiltonban Township.
When crews arrived, they discovered that 79-year-old Viola Strausbaugh was still inside the burning home.
Assistant fire chief Dave Millstein with Fairfield Fire and EMS says her body was recovered towards the rear of the home.
Strausbaugh’s death was ruled accidental, according to the Adams County Coroner. She died of smoke inhalation.
Still no word on what caused the fire. Preliminary investigations reveal there were no working smoke detectors inside.
Both an Adams County and State Police fire marshal are investigating.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze.