By Bert Gambini
Tonawanda, NY – An elderly woman died in a house fire Wednesday morning after her oxygen tank apparently exploded.
Firefighters were called to the home at 1212 Tonawanda Street around 3:25 a.m.
Three of the woman's grand children were in the house at the time, but managed to escaped safely after unsuccessfully attempting to douse the flames.
Tom Yager of the Kenilworth Fire Department said this was a difficult fire to fight.
"There was a very large fire, very hot, a lot of fire load. Crews did a great job, very efficient and effective. We will just be out investigating it now," said Yager.
Firefigthers reported that at least three oxygen tanks inside the home exploded.
The cause is under investigation.