Pocono News Section

Handicapped Woman Killed in Sunbury Fire

Handicapped Woman Killed in Sunbury Fire - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 10:42AM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 @ 10:42am EST
SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY- 70-year-old Barbara Kunkel was found dead in her bed Tuesday morning after a fire started in what appears to be the back bedroom of her double block home.

She was handicapped. Efforts to save her not only came from firefighters but from neighbors.

The home at 127 North Fourth Street was seen burning just after midnight. A neighbor rushed to the home to rescue Kunkel but the flames and smoke were just too intense. She was later found by a firefighter.

Northumberland County Coroner Jim Kelley says Kunkel died of burns over most of her body. A dog died in the fire as well.

An assistant fire chief in Sunbury says there were at least 2 smoke alarms in the home. It's not known if they were working.

Nearby neighbors had to evacuate. No one else was hurt.