PLAINVIEW, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — An 84-year-old woman was killed in a fire at a Plainview senior apartment complex on Sunday morning, and a 74-year-old woman, who was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, succumbed to her injuries, police said on Monday.
At around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, firefighters responded to a 911 call reporting a fire at Harmon Shepherd Hill Apartment Complex in Plainview, owned by the town of Oyster Bay Housing Authority.
Fire officials said that the blaze began in a second-story apartment of the ten-unit building.
When characterizing the fire, First Deputy Fire Chief with the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department Andrew Cohen told CBS2 there was "Heavy fire, heavy smoke, heavy heat, [and] cold weather played a huge factor into this, it was icy out."
Several other fire departments reportedly responded to help put out the blaze.
The 84-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and was identified by police on Monday as Theresa Casale of Plainview.
"The crews, everybody that responded tried to get to that apartment, to try and make a good effort to remove those victims. Unfortunately we weren't able to get to one," Cohen said.
Lynne Citron, 74, of Plainview, sustained burns and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. She was pronounced dead by hospital physicians later on Sunday, police said.
According to ABC7, several other residents at the scene were treated for smoke inhalation.
The Red Cross told CBS2 that all residents of the building were able to find somewhere to stay on their own.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
