DERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A Derry Township woman was killed Wednesday night after her apartment caught fire.

It happened on East First Avenue in Derry Township around 9 p.m.

Marsha Botteicher, 71, had stage four lung and bone cancer and was a breast cancer survivor, but the fire proved to be too much.

Police and firefighters tried to get her out of the burning home, but it was too late.

A fire marshal has been called in to determine the cause of the blaze.

Family members praised police for their efforts last night. They will remember Botteicher for her feisty attitude and loving personality.

Five companies responded to the fire and they were able to knock it down within 20 minutes.