Two Firefighters Were Injured and a Woman Lost Her Life in a Washington County House Fire
A 75-year-old woman is dead. Two firefighters are recovering from injuries. And the house on Warne Street Extension where it all happened was believed to be vacant before that fire broke out.
That last detail is what makes this story harder to process.
What Happened on Warne Street Extension
At 11:45 p.m., the Monongahela Fire Department was called to a fully involved structure fire on Warne Street Extension, located off Route 88 on Cemetery Hill in Monongahela, Washington County.
It was not a neighbor who called it in. It was a passerby who noticed the flames and contacted dispatchers. By the time crews arrived, the home was already completely engulfed. The Charleroi Fire Department also responded, with photos from the scene showing the residence fully consumed by fire.
She Was Not Supposed to Be There
Washington County Coroner Tim Warco confirmed that the victim is Linda Pankiewicz, 75 years old.
The residence was believed to be vacant at the time of the fire. Linda was not found immediately. She was discovered during the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s investigation, which means crews did not know she was inside while they were actively fighting the flames…