NEWTON – Authorities in Newton have identified the person who died in a house fire earlier this month.

On Saturday, August 15, at around 10:14 PM, the Newton Fire Department responded to the 300 block of West 11th Street North for a reported house fire in which firefighters were told one person was still inside. Rescue efforts began right away and the occupant was found and removed from the home. Life-saving measures were initiated by first responders, but the person later died. 

The victim was identified as Stanley Robert Burt, and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office found that the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

The investigation into the cause of the fire, which was conducted by the Newton Fire Department, Newton Police Department, and Jasper County Medical Examiner’s Office, determined that the fire began in the kitchen of the residence when cooking oil on an electric stove overheated. Investigators classified the fire as accidental.

The Newton Fire Department reminded all residents to install working smoke alarms on every level of their home, including outside sleeping areas, and to test them regularly.