May 01--A resident of a home in the 2700 block of Woodlawn Avenue lost her life in a fire that erupted inside her home early Tuesday.
Officials said city firefighters were called to the scene at 6:21 a.m. after receiving a call from a newspaper delivery person who observed smoke coming from inside the home at 2753 Woodlawn Ave.
Fire officials say the Tuesday morning fire began in a first-floor wall and spread to the second floor, where Maryanne Laratta was sleeping.
Laratta lived alone.
Fire officials said a city police officer who arrived on the scene shortly after the call attempted to kick open the front door to gain entry to the house which was engulfed in smoke.
Officials said the blaze was brought under control by 6:53 p.m.
The fire department is not releasing additional information about the occupant. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Copyright 2013 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
