The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

June 30, 2008

Amish woman dies of burns; Accident occurred at home June 21

A 25-year-old Amish woman died Sunday in a Pittsburgh hospital from burns she suffered in a fire June 21 at a home on Pulaski-Mercer Road in Lackawannock Township, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Ada Kurtz was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital, where she was flown from the accident scene. She suffered burns over 69 percent of her body, the examiner’s office said.

Mrs. Kurtz was trying to light a wood burning water heater in the afternoon when, apparently, gasoline vapors flared, said New Wilmington Fire Chief Gary Wagner.

The container Mrs. Kurtz was using was marked kerosene, but contained gasoline, Wagner said.

The fire went out on its own and the house was not burned, he said.

Mrs. Kurtz had two young children, according to a family friend.

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