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Last updated on Tuesday, December 9, 2014
(SALEM) - The body of 71-year-old Patty Knight was identified as the body found in the apartment fire at Parkview Apartments last Tuesday.
According to Washington County Coroner Rondale Brishaber, Knight died from smoke inhalation.
Neighbors say Knight had recently moved in to the apartment complex at 817 Parkview Drive.
Salem Fire Chief Tom Day spent about two hours after the fire was extinguished with the Fire Marshall investigating the cause. The cause has yet to be determined.
Day believes the fire started in the living room area of Knight's apartment where her body was found.
When firefighters arrived at 4:40 p.m. fire was shooting out the front windows and the door of apartment 102.
Ronnie Gray, who lives nearby, was one of the first to notice flames and smoke coming from his neighbor's apartment. He did not know Knight, but attempted to save her.
Gray made it just past the front door and called for the woman, but there was no response.
Overcome by heat and smoke he attempted to enter the apartment though a window, but the smoke was so thick he couldn't see or breathe and was forced to give up and wait for firefighters to arrive.
In spite of a quick response, firefighters were unable to save Knight. Chief Day said it is the first fatality his department has worked in about four years.
Firefighters were able to contain the massive blaze to that one apartment and had it under control by 6 p.m.
That apartment was a total loss with an adjacent apartment receiving some smoke and water damage. Two other apartments in the building also had minor smoke damage.
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