A woman died in a fire on Christmas Eve in nearby Derry township.
Westmoreland County coroner Tim Carson on Sunday identified the victim as 78-year-old Ester Ann McChesney. The exact cause of death is pending an autopsy that is scheduled for today. The fire was reported around 5:00 p.m. on Pizza Barn Road in Westmoreland County. The Blairsville and Black Lick fire departments were dispatched into Westmoreland County to help fight the fire.
The bitter cold conditions made it tough for firefighters to respond, as the roads were iced over. Another reason it was difficult was because another fire was reported in Derry Township on twin oaks road. Not only were local firefighters called out, but the Coral-Graceton, Blacklick, Saltsburg and Tunnelton fire departments we’re called in from Indiana County at 6:20 p.m. to fight the fire.
No word on the cause of the fire on Pizza Barn road. Reports say that the woman’s husband was able to get out of the home. State police Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.
