96-year-old woman identified as victim in Leechburg house fire

A 96-year-old woman was killed in a house fire in Armstrong County on Wednesday.

The call came in around 3:42 p.m. for a working house fire in the 300 block of Beale Avenue in Leechburg, dispatchers said.

The Armstrong County Coroner's Office identified the woman as Pearl Sendry, 96, of Leechburg.

Firefighters said they had a tough time getting the fire out because there was so much stuff inside the home.

Officials said Sendry was found on her couch on the first floor.

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According to a neighbor, the woman's daughter got out of the house and then tried to go back inside for her mother, who was in a wheelchair, but the flames were too intense.

The neighbor said he then ran inside the house and got within 3 feet of the woman, but the flames were too intense and he had to get out.

Sendry was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of her death was ruled accidental.

The woman's daughter was taken to the hospital and treated for minor smoke inhalation.

On Wednesday night, the fire rekindled. Channel 11's Michele Newell called 911 and firefighters returned to the scene to knock out the hot spots.

The house was completely gutted and nothing is left.

The fire is still under investigation.

Cox Media Group