Woman, 63, killed in W. Phila. fire
A 63-year-old woman who was a block captain died from injuries suffered in a house fire late Monday afternoon in West Philadelphia, authorities said.
The fire was reported at 5:13 p.m. in the 5700 block of Osage Avenue, said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, and neighbors told firefighters that Joann Toliaferro was trapped inside.
Firefighters fought their way up into the fire on the second-floor and discovered Toliaferro in a bathroom.
She had no vital signs, but a medic unit was able to revive her, Ayers said. However, she succumbed to her injuries at 6:01 p.m. at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
"It was too much for her," he said.
The fire was placed under control at 5:31 p.m., Ayers said. It appears to have started on the second floor, but the cause needs to be determined by the Fire Marshal.
Family members visiting the charred remains of the house confirmed her name to a reporter. They declined to comment further.
"This block just had a great loss tonight," said Mary Felder, 48, a neighbor for 19 years.
Shawn Weldon, 45, moved to the block seven years agao and "she just took me in like I was part of the neighborhood for a long time."
The neighbors said Toliaferro organized the annual summer block party.
She was outside talking to neighbors not long before the fire broke out, "just mingling like she always does," Weldon said.
Ayers said he did not know if she had heating problems. Her electricity was working and she had functioning smoke detectors, he said.
The fire death was the 30th so far this year, compared to 28 this time last year, Ayers said.
