Grand Island apartment fire claims life

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Grand Island apartment went up in flames, leaving one person dead.

Friday morning, firefighters are still notifying the family of the woman who died in her apartment Thursday night.

"Crews were encountered with heavy smoke on the third floor on the hallway upstairs," said Deputy Chief Kevin Koch, of the Grand Island Fire Department.

Grand Island fire crews were unable to save a woman trapped inside her apartment.

Koch said, "We made a quick hit on the fire and again, heavy heavy amounts of debris in the apartment, we had a tough time gaining access into the apartment."

After dousing flames, rescuers searched the residence and found one person.

"We did a primary search and did indeed find the victim in the bedroom. And we brought her out and revival attempts were made, but unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries," Koch said.

Police haven't released the name of the female victim.

Several other people living in the building, who escaped are receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

Residents whose apartments suffered water damage, are being assisted by the Red Cross.