Fairview Twp. woman injured in fire dies in hospital

FAIRVIEW TWP. – A woman who was injured along with her husband in a fire at her home Tuesday morning died at the Lehigh Valley Hospital's burn center, authorities confirmed.

Tracey Zero, 44, of 319 Pine Lane, was pronounced dead at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. She and her husband, Christian, had been flown to the burn center after a fire at their home at around 7:45 a.m.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis on Wednesday said a state police fire marshal was still investigating the cause of the fire.

We are still investigating the circumstances, so I can't give any details of what may or may not have occurred, Salavantis said.

A Luzerne County 911 supervisor said the call reporting the fire was placed at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday from a cellphone. He said 911 received a hang-up call two minutes before that from the Zeros' house phone.

An autopsy was performed on Zero on Wednesday morning by the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. Coroner Scott Grim said the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.

Salavantis said Christian Zero remained hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday evening.

The Zeros lived at the home with their two teenage sons, J.C. and Christian, both of whom are students in the Crestwood School District. The boys were not home at the time of the fire.

Standing near a car outside the family home Wednesday, J.C. Zero said authorities had not told him what caused the blaze.

All I know is the house caught fire, he said.

The teen said his father suffered burns to his hands.

Jackson Township Police Chief Jerry Leedock said he knew the family socially. His wife had worked with Tracey Zero, whom he said was a nurse.

They're the nicest people you'd ever want to meet, Leedock said.