ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. (KDKA) — A house fire in Armstrong County claimed the life of an elderly widow Sunday morning.

It happened around 7:30 a.m. in the 100-block of Franklin Avenue in Applewold Borough, near Kittanning.

The woman was 78-year-old Mary Ellen Fink, the mother of Armstrong County Commissioner Richard Fink.

She died as a result of smoke inhalation, according to the coroner.

Fink lived alone and had recently returned home from the hospital. She is also survived by four other sons.

Responders say a neighbor spotted the fire initially and tried to enter the house through the back door, but was met with intense heat emanating from the house.

Authorities believe the fire started on the first floor, but state fire marshals are continuing to investigate the incident.

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