Woman, 77, Killed in Mount Vernon Fire
Officials said she was overcome by heat and smoke as she tried to leave.
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 | Updated 11:32 AM EDT
NBC New York
Aerial view of Mount Vernon fire Tuesday
A 77-year-old woman was killed and one person was treated for burns after a fire fully engulfed a multi-family home in Mount Vernon.
The Journal News says the three-alarm fire on West Second Street was reported just after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. It left 18 people homeless.
Mount Vernon Fire Commissioner James Gleason says flames were shooting out of the first and second floors of the three-story building when firefighters arrived. The fire was brought under control several hours later.
Fire officials said Wednesday morning that the 77-year-old had tried to escape when she was overcome by heat and smoke. Her body was found late Tuesday night near the staircase, the News said.
Gleason says a 29-year-old neighbor was taken to a hospital for treatment of burns to his feet, arms and hands.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
