BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities have identified an elderly couple killed in a house fire in Bensalem.
89-year-old Albert Serventi and his wife, 86-year-old Eileen Serventi, were found on the first floor of their home in the 700 block of Kings Lane.
Fire officials believe the blaze, which broke out before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, started accidentally.
An Action News viewer recorded dramatic video early Wednesday morning as flames engulfed several parts of the two-story single family home.
Firefighters faced a challenge as they arrived on the scene.
"The front of the structure was completely involved in fire," said Battalion Chief Rob Sponheimer of Bensalem Twp. Fire and Rescue. "They attempted to gain entry. They were met by heavy flames, so they went to exterior attack."
Soon, part of the second floor started to collapse. It took about an hour to place the fire under control.
Once they made it inside, firefighters found the Serventis in the first floor living room, which is where investigators believe the fire began.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
There was a power outage earlier in the evening, and a neighbor told investigators that the homeowners had a candle burning inside.
Couple killed in Bucks Co. fire: Katherine Scott reports during Action News at 5:30 a.m. on August 30,. 2017.
Investigators believe the fire was accidental. It's unclear if the smoke detectors worked.
"Speaking with family members, they did have smoke detectors," said Sponheimer. "We are unsure if they were working, but they did have them in the home."
The fire has been ruled accidental.
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BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) — An elderly couple was killed after a fire broke out overnight at a home in Bensalem.
Fire Crews were called to the home on Kings Lane around 12:30 a.m., and Bensalem Township Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Robert Sponheimer says first responders were met with an intense blaze.
“Fire crews and police attempted to enter the structure, again they were met with heavy flames and heavy fire so they had to originally make an exterior attack – fighting the fire from the outside,” said Sponheimer.
Despite the threat of the second floor collapsing, the fire was placed under control about an hour later. That’s when officials say they found 89-year-old Albert Serventi and his wife, 86-year-old Eileen Serventi on the first floor of the home.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials say the fire does not appear suspicious in nature and has been ruled accidental by fire personnel.
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For those of you that know Denise Serventi from the day time Bible Study, I would like for you to please pray for her. Her parents died tragically in a fire in their Philadelphia home. It has been reported that it was possibly started by a candle left burning. Her parents do not normally use candles and someone said that perhaps the electricity had gone off. I am not certain of any other details but will update you as soon as possible. Denise's mother was having a 90th Birthday party in the near future. I am certain that Denise's heart is so broken and she really needs ALL OF US praying for her. Thank you.
June Phillips Gunst