Child playing with lighter started Altoona fire that sent seven to hospital
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ALTOONA (AP) – Authorities in central Pennsylvania say a child playing with a cigarette lighter apparently started a blaze that sent seven people to the hospital, including three firefighters.
Officials said the blaze was reported just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the two-story Altoona home.
Officials said an elderly woman was burned and a man who got out from an attic window were taken to UPMC Altoona for treatment. Two other people were taken there to be examined for smoke inhalation.
Three firefighters were also treated for sprains and heat exhaustion and are said to be recovering at home.
Fire Inspector Tim Hughes told The Mirror of Altoona that he believes the blaze was started accidentally by a young child playing with a cigarette lighter.
Hughes said the house was destroyed and another damaged.