MOSINEE, Wis. (AP) -- Authorities have identified the woman killed in an early morning house fire in the north-central Wisconsin town.
The body of Claire Payton, 95, was recovered from the wreckage of her home after firefighters were called there at about 5:15 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.
A passer-by, who called 911 and reported flames coming from the house, tried to but couldn't enter the house to rescue Payton, Mosinee Fire District Capt. Paul Rheinschmidt said.
When firefighters arrived, the home was almost engulfed in flames with fire coming out of every window, he said. After they got the fire under control, they entered Payton's bedroom and got her, Rheinschmidt said.
Payton was described as a devout woman with a big heart. Her husband died in 1969 and she spent most of her time with friends she made at church.
``She just loved to read and she would very often send, along with her cards or messages, quotes that she had from her reading,'' said Sister Joanne Wachowiak, a friend of Payton's. ``It was poetry, inspirational reading that she liked most.''
Wachowiak said Payton tried to go to Mass every day.
``She was a very fascinating, very intellectual woman _ you know she was a former teacher,'' Wachowiak said. ``She would sub at our school, St. Paul's in Mosinee, and come to read to the children. She loved to do that and hated that she had to give it up when her hearing got too bad.''
The fire's cause was unknown Friday. The state fire marshal was to investigate Monday.
Information from: Wausau Daily Herald
