The Worcester County District Attorney has confirmed that a second person has died as a result of a Fitchburg fire.
The woman died Wednesday night.
The fire broke out just after midnight Wednesday at the house on Walton Street. Fitchburg Fire Chief Kevin Roy, who lives around the corner, heard the call on his scanner and rushed to the scene. Roy and a police officer managed to rescue a man from the first floor of the house. The man told them his two sisters were still trapped inside.
One of the women was found near the staircase with no pulse. Emergency responders performed CPR on her before she was taken to the hospital. The victim’s sister was found dead in a bedroom on the second floor.
"It’s hard. It’s extremely, extremely hard. You just don’t want to start the year this way," said Sharon Oikelmus, sister of the three fire victims. Oikelmus thanked the firefighters for their efforts in rescuing her family.
"Bless their hearts. As we know, they’re always putting themselves in jeopardy on behalf of everybody."
Officials said they believe the cause was an electrical fire.
A prayer service was held Wednesday evening at First Parish Church in Fitchburg where Oikzelmus is a member.