Dan Fischer posted on February 10, 2010 13:08
The State Street woman who perished when fire swept her home, had a history of smoking while using medically prescribed oxygen.
57-year-old Mary Pawlukiewicz died early last evening when oxygen fueled flames raced through her first floor apartment where she lived alone.
A young family from across the hall managed to escape the fire and explosions that that extensively damaged the three-unit apartment building at 132 State Street.
Melissa Rigliano and her three young children lived in the apartment next door to Mrs. Pawlukiewicz.
Officials said Mrs. Pawlukiewicz used a motorized wheel chair to get around, but could walk when necessary.
A third apartment in the building was located on the second floor. Its occupant was not at home at the time of the fire.
Fire did rescue a pet python snake and a hamster from the Rigliano apartment
The Red Cross is assisting those left homeless by the blaze. Officials said the building, for the time being, is uninhabitable.