1 Dead, 2 Hospitalized in 2-Alarm Fire

The fire broke out at a home at 178 Walton Street around midnight Tuesday

One person was killed and two people were hospitalized after a 2-alarm fire in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, according to Fitchburg Fire.

The fire broke out at a home at 178 Walton St. around midnight Tuesday. It has since been put out.

Witnesses said they could see flames shooting out of an upstairs window.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says two women lived on one side of the duplex and their brother lived on the other side.

The victims' sister Sharon Oikelmus says she is overcome with emotions after losing one sister, and is praying for her two other siblings' recoveries. 

"My brother is stable and my sister is extremely critically ill, critically," said Oikelmus.

The Fire Chief, who lives nearby the home, was the first to respond to the scene.  He found Steven Oikelmus near the top of the steps unconscious.  Once he regained his consciousness, he alerted the firefighters that his two sisters were upstairs. 

Janice Oikelmus was found unconscious but crews were able to get her out of the home and transport her to a hospital.

Crews were unable to save Irene Oikelmus, who was pronounced dead.

Even facing tragedy, Sharon Oikelmus is grateful for the quick acting firefighters, saying, "Bless their hearts."

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