Deadly house fire in Narberth, Montgomery County under investigation

NARBERTH, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- One person was killed in a house fire in Narberth, Montgomery County on Thursday morning.

Neighbors said the fire started at the home on the 300 block of Hampden Avenue at about 3:30 a.m.

It took firefighters about 30 minutes to get the flames under control.

According to the Montgomery County Coroners Office, the victim has been identified as 66-year-old Deborah Dimaio.

Her cause of death is still pending.

Action News was told the second floor of the home was a rented apartment.

"I ran outside and saw the house in this big blaze," said Stephanie Cirillo, who lives across the street. "I knew my neighbor lived on the top floor. She had issues with mobility, so my heart sank thinking the worst."

Lydia Hall came to the scene to see what was left of her childhood home. It is still owned by her parents.

She describes Dimaio as sweet and loving. She says she lived alone and kept to herself after her husband died.

Dimaio was also a cancer survivor, according to Hall.

"Spent Christmas Eve, parties, babysat my children," she said. "It's devastating."

The investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing.