Woman killed in Birdsboro blaze

BIRDSBORO, Pa. - March 22, 2008 Authorities say 68-year-old Sophie Zimmerman lived on the second floor of the three-story building. She was found unconscious and was pronounced dead at about noon at Reading Hospital. Two other people in the building were uninjured.

The fire was reported at 1:15 a.m. Saturday, and 25 companies from three counties spent more than six hours battling the blaze. The building was demolished and a neighboring structure was severely damaged.

Birdsboro Fire Company Chief Vernon Kulp III says some combustible materials used in renovations may have helped prolong the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, http://www.readingeagle.com/