OLEAN, N.Y. — The Olean Fire Department Monday released the name of the victim of a fatal fire on Avenue B in the city last Wednesday night. Michele McRae, 53, died in the fire. A man inside the home at the time was taken to Olean General and then transferred to ECMC but has since been released.
Around 7:30pm on June 10, fire crews responded to the home and found the entire first floor engulfed and the blaze extending to the second floor. The front porch of the building collapsed as firefighters attempted to attack the fire, forcing crews to try to rescue McRae through a window. They were not successful and she was declared dead at the scene.
The cause of the fire was accidental and listed as improperly discarded smoking material. The department said the fire was intensified by the presence of home health oxygen cylinders located in the area of the first floor where the blaze started.
The home has been scheduled for demolition.