The Allegany, N.Y., woman seriously burned in a trailer fire
Sunday evening later died Monday afternoon, according to a nursing
supervisor at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
According to Allegany Engine Co. First Assistant Fire Chief Jim
Billings, LaDonna First, who was in her late 60s, was taken from
Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital to the Erie County Medical Center
early Monday.
First later died at that facility, the nursing supervisor
confirmed late Monday night.
Allegany Engine Co. Fire Chief Francis Pezzimenti said the fire
occurred at 5 or 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Colonial Village Court
trailer park at 3974 Route 417, Lot 70, in the Town of Allegany,
and the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the
Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office investigation team.
Detective Chris Baker of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office
said Monday afternoon all information was being relayed through
Pezzimenti, who did not have any new information Monday night.
According to Pezzimenti, First was the only occupant of the
trailer, which she owned. Some young men between the ages of about
16 and 20, who were not identified, heard screams while emergency
crews were being contacted and ran to First’s trailer. The young
men, who apparently knew First, kicked the door in, grabbed her and
pulled her out of the house and onto the lawn.
Pezzimenti said an ambulance crew took First to Olean General
Hospital. He said they wanted to fly her out by medical helicopter,
but there wasn’t one available at the time. He said the trailer was
fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene and was a total
loss.
Pezzimenti said the Allegany Engine Co., Town of Olean and
Westons Mills fire departments along with tankers from the
Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the scene. The
Portville Fire Department was on stand-by for the Allegany Engine
Co. Pezzimenti said in addition to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s
Office, New York state troopers were also on the scene.
Firefighters stayed at the scene with investigators until about
9:30 or 10 p.m. Sunday, according to Pezzimenti.
