Woman dies in Wellesley blaze

January 26, 2008 01:26 AM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Sarah Gantz, Globe Correspondent

A 55-year-old Wellesley woman who was legally blind and had limited mobility died in a two-alarm blaze last night at her home, fire officials said.

The fire started at about 7:42 p.m. in the family room at the back of the first floor of a house on Halsey Avenue, said Fire Chief Kevin Rooney. A space heater in that room caused the blaze, he said.

The woman's husband and her teenage daughter were away from the house when the fire broke out. They returned to find the home in flames and tried unsuccessfully to rescue the woman, who used a wheelchair, Rooney said. The daughter was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Officials didn't release the identity of the victims of the fire.

Maria Picculi, 68, who lives on the street, said she was acquainted with the family and she was "really sorry that that happened to them."

"I came home and saw the fire engine. They told me they couldn't find the mother and the girl was in the ambulance. I was shocked, really shocked," she said.

More than 20 firefighters battled the blaze, which was quickly controlled. The building was heavily damaged by fire in the rear and by smoke throughout, officials said.

Firefighters from Weston and Newton assisted the Wellesley firefighters.