A Whiting woman died trying to escape a fire early Tuesday, fire officials said.
Whiting Fire Chief Gus Danielides said his department received a 911 call around 3 a.m. Tuesday on the fire, which started in the second-floor rear apartment of a three-flat in the 1700 block of 119th Street. When the ladder truck got there, firefighters went through the front and extinguished the fire pretty quickly, he said.
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Sheryl Denise Anderson, 64, appeared to have attempted to flee by the fire escape, Danielides said. But when she opened the door, the fire rushed toward her, burning her back, he said. Fire officials said they believe the fire started in her apartment.
She was found in the back doorway, Danielides said. The Lake County Coroner’s Office declared her dead at 4:30 a.m., though cause of death remains undetermined; no resuscitation efforts were required, officials said.
Two other tenants in the building were able to escape unharmed through the front entrance, Danielides said. The fire was contained to Anderson’s apartment, though the rest of the building endured minor smoke damage.
The Hammond and Whiting police departments assisted in the fire, Danielides said. The State Marshal’s office was called.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.