Disabled woman dies in Champion house fire despite smoke detectors and efforts of passersby

Staff report

CHAMPION

A 49-year-old disabled woman died when her home at 6033 Mahoning Ave. across the street from Champion High School caught on fire Monday morning.

Her name is not being released pending notification of relatives.

More than 60 percent of the home was involved in flames when Champion firefighters arrived, despite more than 20 calls from passers-by, including some who knocked on the door to try to alert the woman and get her to safety, said fire Chief John E. Hickey.

The fire was reported at 11:50 a.m., and firefighters arrived at 11:53 a.m.

The woman was wheelchair-bound and had limited ability to escape the fire, Hickey said, adding that the home had working smoke detectors.

“Upon completion of a search of the home, a female was found with no signs of life and had expired from possible smoke-related issues,” according to a fire department press release.

The woman’s body was in the kitchen area. The fire was believed to have started on the side of the house that included the garage area.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation, Hickey said, and no information at this time is available on what caused the fire. There is no indication of foul play at this time, Hickey said.

Champion firefighters were assisted by the Bazetta, Bristol, Howland and Warren township fire departments and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station fire department from Vienna.