PENNSYLVANIA Mother, daughter die in house fire; 1 injured

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- A mother and daughter died of smoke inhalation and a another daughter was injured in a house fire Sunday.
Amanda Ritter, 26, and her daughter Emma, 4, succumbed to smoke inhalation while trying to escape their home at 638 Todd Ave., said Lawrence County Deputy Coroner Samuel A. Teolis.
Ritter's 3-month-old daughter, Sophie, was taken to the Mercy Hospital burn unit. Her condition was not available this morning, but officials said she was seriously hurt. The victims were found around 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
The fire started near a computer work station and appeared to be electrical, said Ellwood City Fire Chief Connie MacDonald.
Called for help
MacDonald said a neighbor was awakened by glass breaking from the heat and instructed his girlfriend to call for help while he went to the house. The fire chief said that thick smoke had already taken over most of the home and the man could not get inside.
Teolis said Amanda Ritter and the children were found in Sophie's room.
They were taken to Ellwood City Hospital, where Amanda died at 6:38 a.m. and Emma at 7:15 a.m.
Ritter's husband, David Ritter, was not home at the time and was believed to be at work in Cranberry, MacDonald said.
A state police fire marshal said in a preliminary ruling that the fire was accidental.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home.