Investigation continues into fatal New Kensington fire

The cause of a fatal house fire in New Kensington on Thursday remains unclear.

Amy L. Seguiti died in her home in the 1100 block of Strawn Avenue when fire tore through the upper floor. She was inside the home as crews were fighting the fire, the coroner’s office said.

The cause and manner of death remain under investigation, Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said.

“We’re doing an autopsy now,” he said Friday.

Autopsy results likely won’t return for about six to eight weeks, Carson said. He said a possible cause of death could be from smoke inhalation. No age was given for Seguiti.

The State Police Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Messages left with that office were not returned Friday.

Two New Kensington firefighters were taken to the hospital for burns.

“They’re going to make a full recovery,” New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said Thursday. “They went to the hospital for precautionary measures.”

Fire officials and neighbors reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. Crews from across the upper Allegheny Valley responded, and it took just under 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Wind conditions made the fire more difficult to fight, Saliba said.

“I was the first firefighter on scene, I went inside and when I got to the top of the steps, the smoke was already down past the steps and the fire was already overhead and the heat was unbearable,” he said.

New Kensington Police and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office were also on scene investigating. Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for the DA’s office, said it is typical for a forensics detective to be called to such a scene.

“Our general assignment detectives are not involved,” she said. “Forensics was called out to take pictures … It’s typical they would respond.”

Seguiti worked at the American Legion Post 868 in Lower Burrell. The organization said in a statement they were devastated and at a loss for words.

“We lost a member of our Legion family, a friend and bartender who has been with us for years,” it said. “Please keep Amy and her family in your prayers.”

Neighbors recalled Seguiti and her family as welcoming and good-hearted people.

Roy Stearman, who lives across the street, said Seguiti would often bring over food and soup for him.

“They were nice people,” he said.