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Husband Facing Charges After Duquesne Fire Leaves 1 Woman Dead

DUQUESNE (KDKA) – An early Tuesday morning fire left one woman dead in Duquesne and her husband has been charged.

According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out at a home on Friendship Street around 2 a.m.

After the fire, investigators were looking into what caused the fire and the relationship between the woman and her estranged husband.

Intense flames on the first floor quickly spread to the rest of the home.

Firefighters were forced to stay back, even though they knew a woman was most likely inside.

Eventually, Maureen Gecan-Karr, identified by neighbors and friends, was found on the second floor of her home.

"She didn't deserve to die in the fire. She was too good of a lady. I don't know what I'm going to do without her," Doreen Collins, a friend, said.

Allegheny County Police took the victim's husband, James Karr into custody and questioned him Tuesday morning.

He now faces charges of arson, homicide and other charges.

Recently, the victim filed a PFA petition against Karr, in which she said her husband threatened to burn the house down.

The final hearing was scheduled yesterday.

Harold Hayes Reports:

Collins says Maureen was scared, but didn't want to leave her home.

"I tried to make her stay down here and she wouldn't because of her dogs. I said, 'Well, if something happens to your house, at least you wouldn't be there," Collins said.

Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. One suffered a back injury and went to the hospital for treatment. The other suffered a minor leg injury and remained at the scene.

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