An 84-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 first smoke at 85 Highland Road was reported at 5:01 a.m. The fire was out in less than an hour.
About 9 a.m., as they demolished the charred remnants of the house looking for her, firefighters found Liz Catone's body on the first floor.
Bethel Park fire Chief Dave Gerber said having so much fuel only feeds the fire.
"She was definitely a hoarder," said said. "It makes it harder. It makes it burn a lot faster."
He did not release her name.
Allegheny County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Don Brucker said there was no sign she tried to escape. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, he said.
Copyright 2012 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
