By Peter Sullivan / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
An 83-year-old woman described as a hoarder was killed when her Bethel Park house caught fire this morning — burning faster because of its contents, fire officials said. The smoke at 85 Highland Road was reported at 5:01 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the blaze was already fierce.
They tried to force their way in but the heat and smoke pushed them back, Allegheny County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Don Brucker said. They were able to contain the fire in less than an hour. About 9 a.m., as they demolished the charred remnants of the house looking for its resident, firefighters found Liz Cutone’s body on the first floor.
Bethel Park fire Chief Dave Gerber said having so much fuel only fed the fire.
“She was definitely a hoarder,” he said. “It makes it harder. It makes it burn a lot faster.”
Mr. Brucker said there was no sign she tried to escape. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, he said.
