Fatal Fire In SI's Tottenville Section Caused By Cigarette
Staten Island Advance 2/9/09
The Jan. 30 fire that swept through a home in Staten Island's Tottenville community and killed a 62-year-old woman was sparked by careless smoking, the fire department confirmed today.
Rosemary Brown, a retired Department of Motor Vehicles supervisor, died in the 4:50 p.m. fire that broke out in the second story of her Craig Avenue home, despite valiant efforts of neighbors that formed an old-fashioned bucket brigade trying to save her.
Officials suspected early on that the longtime smoker had accidentally caused the blaze with a carelessly-handled cigarette, and the investigation confirmed as much. The home was also without smoke detectors, officials said.
Neighbors trying to save Mrs. Brown formed a human chain from the first floor to the second in a bid to get water on the flames, but were unsuccessful.
-- Reported by Phil Helsel
Slideshow Staten Island Advance 2/9/09
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