Early Morning Blaze Turns Deadly In Delaware County
DARBY, Pa. (CBS) – Darby Borough firefighters fought both flames and the sub-zero temperatures as a two-alarm fire destroyed a historic home in the heart of their community and killed a woman early Sunday morning.
Firefighters battled the house fire in the 1000 block of Main Street that killed 26-year-old Dominique Gibson.
The fire was discovered just after 3:30 a.m. and was declared under control about 45 minutes later. A second alarm was struck for additional manpower and equipment after authorities say the water began to freeze in the cold temperatures.
Firefighters received reports of a trapped woman and quickly located her on the second floor of the converted home.
"I looked up and that second floor was just engulfed in fire," said neighbor Rufus Cottman.
The victim was removed to nearby Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Authorities say her cause of death was due to smoke inhalation.
"It just hurts your heart, being so young," said Cottman.
An elderly man living on the first floor managed to get out of the home safely. Two firefighters were treated at a nearby hospital after receiving minor injuries in the fire.
There's no word on a cause of the blaze although firefighters suspect it may have started from a lit stove. The investigation into the pre-dawn blaze is underway.
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Reported By Al Novack, KYW Newsradio; Robin Rieger, CBS 3
