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Flash Fire Kills Lower Nazareth Man Smoking On Oxygen: Coroner

A 71-year-old Lower Nazareth Township man has died after a flash fire caused by smoking while on supplemental oxygen, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.

William T. Newhard was pronounced dead at 2:22 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, authorities said.

The coroner determined Newhard's cause of death to be complications of acute bronchospasms resulting from a flash fire. The manner of death was ruled accidental.

Investigators said the fire occurred when Newhard lit a cigarette while using supplemental oxygen, triggering the fatal blaze.

No further information about the incident was immediately available.

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