HONEY BROOK >> A woman was killed when flames roared through her Chester County home Tuesday morning, officials said.
Police responded about 10 a.m. to the 600 block of Water Street for a reported house fire. They said the victim is a female whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
People at the scene reported that the victim is in her 80s, adding that neighbors and police tried in vain to rescue the woman before firemen arrived. Her husband reportedly is in the hospital recovering from heart surgery. The ranch style home was heavily damaged in the fire.
Honey Brook Police Chief Patrick Ely said the fire is under investigation by the Honey Brook Borough Police Department, Chester County Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police Fire Marshal’s office. The cause and location of the origin of the fire were not known or released.
Ely said he and others attempted to enter the home to rescue the victim. He said he even tried to break down an entry door. However, the smoke was too dense and thick to get inside.
“It was too tough to get through,” the chief said.
According to Ely, the woman was the only person inside and there were no other injuries.
“We will go back and complete the investigation,” he said. “We will notify the family. Tomorrow we hope for a better day.”
The chief said the home suffered more smoke damage than fire damage. Fire officials said it didn’t take very long to get the fire under control.
Ely at times became emotional during his impromptu news conference at the scene.
He said that everyone knows everyone in Honey Brook.
“We make it our business to know,” he said. “This is a tight community and we look out for each other.”
