March 27--An Allentown woman was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon after she was pulled from the second-floor bedroom window of her burning Adams Island home, authorities said.

She was identified as Lisanne Chin, 27.

Allentown fire Capt. John Christopher said fire crews were called about 2:15 p.m. to the fire, which fully engulfed the home at 56 Adams Island. Smoke plumes could be seen miles away from the island in the Lehigh River.

When fire crews arrived, they were told a woman was on the second floor, Christopher said. According to emergency radio reports, she might have been hiding in a closet.

Rescuers put a ladder to a window and carried Chin out. Witnesses said she appeared limp as she was taken to paramedics.

Christopher said it was a difficult rescue effort because of the intense heat and billowing smoke. The two-alarm fire was knocked down around 45 minutes after fire crews arrived.

Chin was pronounced dead at 3:16 p.m. by Lehigh County Deputy Coroner Raymond Anthony.

The house had three residents, but only Chin was home when the blaze began, Christopher said.

"The fire started in the rear of the structure," he said. "I don't know which floor. I don't think they've nailed that down yet. There was so much of the building gone when we got there. The rear was actually missing."

Firefighters were ordered twice to evacuate the home because of the heavy flames. At one point, ammunition inside started exploding. The home probably will be a complete loss, Christopher said.

The coroner's office said an autopsy on Chin is scheduled for Thursday. The office will determine the cause and manner of her death after the autopsy and fire investigation are complete.

Allentown detectives were called to the scene. Christopher said that is standard procedure in a fire that results in death. Investigators will return Thursday, he said, to sort through the rubble in the light of day.

Adams Island, incorporated in 1907 as the Allentown Swimming and Boating Club, sits in the river between Tilghman and Hamilton streets. About 45 families live there.

Reporter Frank Warner contributed to this story.

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