A Saturday morning fire in Lake Township that claimed the life of a woman is under investigation by the Uniontown police and fire departments and state fire marshals.
The woman and her daughter, who was also at the home, have not been identified pending notification of family members.
At about 2:40 a.m. Saturday the police department responded to a house fire behind 13103 Cleveland Ave. and saw smoke coming from the home.
According to police, a resident standing outside the home told police her mother was still inside and on the second floor. Smoke and flames kept officers from entering at first, so they climbed onto a second-floor balcony and tried to kick in a door. One officer broke a window but had to jump from the balcony because of the smoke, heat and flames, police said. The woman inside did not get out.
According to the Canton Repository, her dog and cat also died in the fire.
Fire departments from Uniontown, Hartville, Greentown, Lakemore and the city of Green were involved in controlling the blaze.
The dead woman’s daughter and one police officer, Josh Pirogowicz, were taken to local hospitals. Pirogowicz was treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns to his throat before being released at about 7 a.m. Saturday. The woman’s condition was not known, police said.
