UPDATE: Woman Killed in Swissvale House Fire

Swissvale and Edgewood fire crews remain on scene of a fatal fire on Ardmore Street in Swissvale Tuesday morning.

Crews were called to the home shortly after 5:30 a.m. after reports of heavy fire coming from the second floor.

An elderly woman was trapped in the second floor bedroom and died. Another occupant was able to escape. 

The Post-Gazette reports the occupant is the woman's son. Dan Lane told the newspaper it was his mother, 75-year-old Shirley Lane, who died in the fire. He said he woke up when he heard an explosion, went to check on his mother in her bedroom, but she couldn't make it out because the flames were too heavy.

Swissvale fire Chief Clyde Wilhelm said crews were faced with heavy fire conditions when they arrived, making it difficult to get to the victim.

"It was a pretty significant fire," he said. "When you're faced with heavy fire and you're trying to make a rescue, it changes the whole dynamic."

Wilhelm said firefighters kept getting pushed down the steps due to the force of the fire.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office arrived just before 9 a.m.

Alvin Henderson Jr., county fire marshal chief, said crews were conducting preliminary investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

Lane told the newspaper his mother used oxygen for COPD.

Ardmore Street remains blocked off in between South Braddock and Woodstock avenues.

Check back to Patch for updates.