The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating this morning’s fatal house fire in New Castle, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Although originally dispatched as a house fire with two occupants trapped crews found only one person in the home. That person was found deceased inside the burning home, said Chionchio.
The blaze, reported shortly after 10:00 am, occurred in the unit block of Simonds Drive in Simonds Gardens near New Castle Avenue. The Holloway Terrace Fire Company arrived on the scene with smoke pouring from the one-story house. Firefighters and New Castle County Police officers rushed into the house to attempt a rescue. One of the police officers was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation according to authorities.
The fire that caused an estimated $100,000 in damages is under investigation said Chionchio.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science will perform an autopsy later today.
