Wilmington DE fatal fire
By Captain Michael R. Schaal, Photos by T. J. Healy II  

On Saturday, the Wilmington Fire Department Fire Department units responded to 903 W. 24th Street after several calls reporting a house fire. First arriving companies reported heavy fire showing from the front of a two story, masonry, duplex style, occupied, single family dwelling. While responding, firefighters were advised that there was possibly a subject trapped in the residence.
 

	Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire while others conducted a search for the reported occupant. One victim was found on the second floor of the residence.  The unconscious victim was removed from the house, treated at the scene by EMS personnel and Paramedics and then transported to the Wilmington Hospital.  Attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.
	The elderly victim was pronounced dead at 0030 hours. The victim’s identity is being withheld until relatives can be notified.  The fire appears to have started in the front of the house on the second floor. It does not appear that there were any working smoke detectors in the residence. Thirty firefighters fought to bring the fire under control at 0008 hours. There were no other injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Wilmington Fire Department, Fire Marshal’s Office.