Apartment fire victim ID’d, investigation ongoing

Jennifer Lee Roberts has been identified as the victim in the Wednesday, Jan. 30 fire at Royal Hills Apartments. Two firefighters were injured while extinguishing the fire, which remains under investigation. / File photo

FRONT ROYAL – A joint press release from the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division Friday afternoon identified the victim of a Wednesday morning (Jan. 30) fire at the Royal Hills Apartments at 47 Royal Lane as Miss Jennifer Lee Roberts, 51.

Miss Roberts was the sole occupant of the third-floor apartment in which the fire began.  The fire significantly damaged the entire 10-unit building of the complex, displacing 10 families in the incident.

Related Story: One dead in Front Royal apartment complex fire, investigation underway

While the cause of the fire and the manner of death continue to be investigated by both local agencies and the Officer of the Chief Medical Examiner, officials stated in the release that the smoke alarms within Miss Roberts’ apartment were not working at the time of the fire.

Investigator David Fogle did confirm to Royal Examiner that Warren County Fire and Rescue crews had responded to a call placed by Miss Roberts on Tuesday afternoon, around 1 p.m., one day prior to her death.  The building was found to have normal conditions with no safety risk to occupants.

Fire officials remind the community to ensure that each sleeping room and common area of the residence is equipped with working smoke alarms.

Warren County Fire and Rescue crews will go door-to-door in the area where the fire occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and Wednesday, Feb. 6 checking smoke alarms and providing free alarms and free installation to those who need them.

Anyone with information regarding the Wednesday fire is encouraged to contact Warren County Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico at 540-636-3830 or Front Royal Police Detective David Fogle at 540-636-2208.