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First Posted: 10/27/2014
FORTY FORT — A Yates Street woman died when flames ripped through her home early Monday, in what is believed to be the first fatal blaze since the borough’s fire department was formed more than a century ago.
Rosalie McGough, 73, was pronounced dead at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.
According to Mayor Andy Tuzinski, who was one of the first responders on the scene, the fire broke out around 2:45 a.m. at 24-26 Yates St.
The Luzerne County Coroner’s Office determined McGough’s cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning and the manner of death was undetermined pending the results of the fire marshal’s investigation.
Her husband, William McGough, was removed safely from the building.
Tuzinski said Irene Perugino, also in her 70s and who resides at 26 Yates St., was taken to safety by firefighters.
Intense flames
Tuzinski said when he arrived on the scene, flames were shooting from second-story windows. He said he went into the building, but he was not wearing an air-pack and the flames and smoke were intense.
Tuzinski said Forty Fort Police Officer Pete Lakkis was first to arrive on the scene, followed by off-duty firefighter Bob Pugh. Tuzinski said responders tried to get into the burning building, but some did not yet have their protective gear, hampering their efforts.
“There was so much fire,” Tuzinski said. “I saw the smoke and fire from about six blocks away.”
Tuzinski said he did get to the top of the steps on the second floor and the victim was found in a hallway. She was removed by firefighters from Kingston, Tuzinski said.
Tuzinski said state police fire marshals were on the scene to determine the cause of the fire. Tuzinski said he could not say when or if the cause will be determined, but said it was not suspicious.
“The McGough family are wonderful people,” Tuzinski said. “They are the bedrock of that neighborhood. Everybody knows them; they are always on their front porch.”
Popular restaurateurs
Tuzinski said Mrs. McGough was a “great lady,” and her death is “a great loss to the community.”
The McGoughs had owned and operated Piledggi’s Italian Restaurant on Division Street, Kingston.
Tuzinski said the best way to explain the type of people the McGoughs are was to take a look at their front porch.
“There were enough seats and chairs for six to eight people,” Tuzinski said. “And they were often filled with neighbors stopping by for a chat. Anyone was always welcome to stop and have a conversation. Mrs. McGough had a table set with tea cups for serving.”
Tuzinski said the McGoughs made a good neighborhood a “a really, really nice neighborhood.”
Their tenant, Perugino, had rented from the McGoughs since 1966, Tuzinski said, adding she had worked at Andy Perugino’s restaurant in neighboring Luzerne for many years.
The mayor said most everything was lost on both sides of the double-block and a relief fund has been set up with Landmark Bank.
To donate, stop by any Landmark Bank and be sure to write “Yates Street Fire Victims Fund” on the memo line of your check.
Assisting at the scene were units from Plains Township, Edwardsville, Kingston, Wyoming, West Wyoming and Nanticoke, Tuzinski said.