By Vernon Clark
The Philadelphia Inquirer
TACONY, Pa. — A 43-year-old woman and two children died Tuesday of injuries from an early morning fire at their Tacony apartment.
Relatives identified the woman as Gloria Searle. She died at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Aria Health-Torresdale Campus, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.
Her 19-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son died in the fire above the Fresh & Sharp Unisex Salon in the 6800 block of Torresdale Avenue, officials said. Relatives identified them as Krystal Boretto and Anthony Ramos.
Executive Fire Chief Richard Davison said the fire was reported at 4:45 a.m. and was extinguished about 5:35 a.m. Fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the first and second floors, Davison said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
At the scene, Searle’s sister, Michelle Osorio, said Searle had lived in the three-room apartment for about two years. Osorio said Searle was a single mother raising her children.
Josh Searle, a nephew of Gloria Searle’s, said that he visited her frequently and that she was dedicated to her children.
“She did everything she could for them,” Josh Searle said. “The house was always clean and the kids were well taken care of.”
Neighbors said the family had two dogs, which also perished in the blaze. Fire officials said they had no information about dogs in the apartment.
Tina Serano, a neighbor, said Gloria Searle was always with her children.
“They’re good people,” Serano said. “They’re family people. It’s a shame they had to pass away like that.”
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