One Person Dies In Duplex Fire In Etna, Another Hospitalized

ETNA (KDKA) - Flames ripped through not one, but two duplexes in Etna early on Thursday morning.

A woman, found in a second-floor bedroom, did not make it out alive.

Steps away from the "Borough of Etna" welcome sign, flames broke out at a red duplex on Bridge Street while two people were inside.

"I got up and looked out my window and seen fire trucks outside and the house behind me was on fire," said Antoinette Finizio, a neighbor.

The fire broke out just after 5 on Thursday morning.

Etna Fire Chief Greg Porter said a crew member who lives nearby saw the flames.

"He went right to the scene, tried to get in - but unfortunately - was not able to get in, in time to make a difference," Porter said.

The flames were so intense, they quickly spread to a neighboring duplex and the two people inside were able to escape.

"In the back, it's significantly damaged, but the firefighters were able to prevent the fire from getting into the living space on that attached duplex," Porter explained.

As for the home where the fire started, Porter said a woman in her 80s did not survive. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identifies her as 80-year-old Janet Wilson of Etna.

Wilson was found in a bedroom on the second floor.

Her adult son made it out alive, but he was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.

Neighbors said it was a frightening scene.

"You don't know what to expect and what not to expect or what's going on," Finizio recalled. "You know, in today's world, you don't know and I'm shaking right now."

The fire marshal is investigating the cause.