NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — An elderly woman died after a fire broke out Friday night, according to the Niagara Falls Fire Department.
Fire Chief Joe Pedulla confirmed the victim was Bernice Coonan, 93.
First responders were called to the scene at 1159 Ashland Avenue at 9 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed heavy smoke and fire coming from the first floor and front porch of the two-story, single-family home.
During a search, firefighters found the elderly woman a few feet away from the front door, pulled her from the house and performed CPR.
A short time later, the woman was declared dead. Niagara Falls Fire believes she lived in the home alone.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
On Saturday night, community members held a candlelight vigil in front of the now boarded-up house. Her shoes were placed at the foot of the steps.
Those who came laid flowers on the staircase and shared stories of the woman they grew to call a friend.
"Eighteen years I had lived across the street from her. Cut her grass, used to walk her to Tops every week for groceries," said Joshua Highway, who planned the vigil.
Dave Johnson, who lives in the neighborhood, said, "She was kind of like the grandmother for the street. Judging by the turnout here, everybody loved her. She was a nice lady, and it's a shame this had to happen, and it shouldn't have happened."
Friends said Bernice was young at heart, offered good advice and was known for her generosity.
"She had a huge impact on my life and on my sister's life, basically the whole community. Everywhere you go, you'd hear, 'Hey, you know Miss B?', 'Yeah Miss B! She lives on Ashland,' " Highway said.
Neighbors tell 2 On Your Side over the years Bernice became a warm, relied-on presence in their close-knit community. They say the turnout to her vigil was a prime example of that.
"Niagara Falls has a bad reputation. No. People in this city look out for each other," Johnson said.