Resident pulled from fire dies

The fire chief helped a 92-year-old woman out of the apartment building.
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- A 40-year-old New Wilmington man died shortly after his mother pulled him from his burning ground-level apartment.
Lawrence County Coroner Russell S. Noga said Christopher Schneider of 470 A Pearson St. was declared dead at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. He was overcome by smoke and fumes, Noga said.
Noga said Schneider had just been released from the hospital after a seven-day stay after surgery and his mother, Patricia Black, age and address not available, arrived to check on him when she heard screams inside his apartment. She did not live with her son.
She found him just inside the door and was able to pull him out onto the porch, Noga said. Black suffered some burns on her hands and face, he said.
New Wilmington Fire Chief Gary Wagner said firefighters believe the blaze was an accident, and the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is trying to determine the cause.
Wagner said there was fire damage in the apartment and smoke and heat damage through the rest of the home.
New Wilmington Police Chief Carmen Piccirillo said he was the first office to arrive, and he escorted the upstairs resident, 92-year-old Evelyn Dickson, from her apartment. She was not hurt.
Piccirillo said Dickson was not aware there was a fire until he arrived.
Noga said Schneider died of apparent smoke inhalation, but Noga is waiting for the results of blood tests for an official cause of death.