Cause Of House Fire That Displaced 8 In Lower Bucks Co. Revealed

PENNDEL BOROUGH, PA — The cause of a fire that displaced eight people following the "heroic" rescue by a borough police officer early Thursday morning was due to an unattended fire pit, the fire marshal said.

The Penndel Borough Fire Marshal's Office completed its investigation into the destructive residential fire that occurred on Thursday at 36 West Woodland Avenue.

Fire Marshal Jim Bampfield said the fire has been ruled accidental.

"After a comprehensive investigation-including scene examination, interviews, and analysis of burn patterns-officials determined that the fire originated in the rear yard," Bampfield said. "The cause has been identified as an unattended outdoor fire pit, which ignited nearby combustibles and allowed the fire to extend to the house."

Penndel Borough Police Chief Sean Perry said that Police Officer Sean Peck responded to the fire at 4:40 a.m. Thursday and "immediately jumped into action," saving the lives of eight residents.

Fire companies arrived to find the home heavily involved, with fire rapidly spreading through the structure. Despite an aggressive fire attack, the residence sustained catastrophic damage and was ultimately destroyed.

No injuries were reported.

The Penndel Borough Fire Marshal's Office urges all residents to use caution when operating outdoor fire pits. Fire pits should never be left unattended, must be positioned away from combustible materials, and should be fully extinguished before leaving the area.

For additional information regarding this incident or general fire safety guidance, contact the Penndel Borough Fire Marshal's Office.