Grandmother, Child Killed In White Oak Townhouse Fire
WHITE OAK (KDKA) – Two people died Tuesday afternoon in a White Oak townhouse fire.
The victims are a grandmother and young child, identified by officials as 83-year-old Anita Clark and 4-year-old Azire Clark-Roberts.
Jerry Fleischer, who lives in the same apartment complex, said, "That's probably what's most devastating to everybody, the fact that a child was involved. All that was first heard through text messages was that there were two fatalities, then we found out it was a grandmother and a little child. That hits everybody when it's children."
According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out in the 2800 block of Lincoln Way around 1 p.m. Several fire companies responded to the scene, along with police and paramedics.
"At 12:52 [p.m.], fire departments were called out to a structure fire at 2807 Lincoln Way," Chief Brandon Schmidt, of the Rainbow Fire Department, said.
When the first crew arrived at the scene, they were told people may have been trapped inside. Several White Oak Police officers tried to enter the house, but intense heat and smoke pushed them back.
"The crews arrived and made the initial attack on the fire," said Chief Schmidt. "Upon the initial attack of the fire, they discovered two deceased individuals."
While firefighters battled the blaze, other crews at the scene consoled family members.
Investigators say the fire broke out in unit 11 of the town homes. Five other townhouses sustained smoke or water damage. The Red Cross has been called to help those residents.
Paula Baubrle, of the American Red Cross, said, "We have helped out six adults and two children. Four apartments were affected by the fire."
The fire marshal said smoke detectors in building 11 "were properly working and activated." The cause of the fire is unknown.
"Our prayers go out to all of them, because nobody wants to lose someone that way," Fleischer said. "It's a tragic way to lose anyone, especially a child."
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