The Luzerne County Coroner has identified 64-year-old Rita Sanders as the victim of a fatal residential fire that occurred Friday morning in Edwardsville. Following an autopsy, Coroner Dion Fernandes ruled that Sanders died from smoke inhalation and declared the manner of death accidental. The blaze broke out at approximately 8:30 a.m. at Sanders’ home, located at the corner of Cherry and Woodward Streets. Fire officials believe the fire was sparked by a heating element, such as a space heater, which quickly ignited the structure.
The scene revealed a secondary tragedy, as Sanders was a well-known local animal lover who cared for a colony of nearly 100 stray cats. Authorities report that roughly 40 cats were inside the home at the time of the fire, the vast majority of which perished in the flames. Investigators also noted that unsafe hoarding conditions within the residence made the fire more difficult to battle and contributed to the high animal mortality rate. In the days following the fire, several local animal rescue organizations have been working at the site to capture and provide medical care for the surviving outdoor cats that continue to return to the property.
