A house fire early Tuesday morning that left a Mount Jewett
woman dead was ruled accidental by a state police fire marshal.

According to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper and Fire Marshal
Mick McCracken of Clearfield, the fire at the residence on Benson
Lane started as a result of a burning candle.

Police said Vivian Carlson, 94, was unable to escape the
residence and died in the fire.

Carlson’s grandson, Carl Carlson, 37, of New York City, who has
been staying with his grandmother, was in critical condition
Tuesday afternoon in the Birmingham Trauma Burn Center at Mercy
Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Investigators said Carl Carlson tried to rescue his grandmother,
but was unable to do so. He suffered numerous burns and cuts after
finally escaping through a window, police said.

In addition to the state police and fire marshal, fire
departments from Mount Jewett, Hamlin Township, Smethport Borough,
Lewis Run Borough and Lafayette Township responded to the scene.
Ambulances from Mount Jewett and Kane assisted.

Mount Jewett Fire Chief Craig Simons was not immediately
available for further comment Tuesday night.

There was no further information at press time.