Woman found dead in burning home
Authorities probe Penn Hills blaze
A Penn Hills man came home Friday afternoon from running errands to find his wife dead and his home on fire, authorities said.
Investigators said the man, whom they did not identify, left his house in the 2500 block of School Street about 7:30 a.m. His wife remained at home.
When he returned in the afternoon, he saw smoke and found his wife inside. He told authorities he pulled her out of the home, discovered she was dead and called 911.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine how the woman died. County officials said a preliminary investigation shows the woman likely died before the fire broke out.
They said they did not see any clear signs of trauma or foul play.
Officials and relatives identified her as Rita Ryan, 67. Ms. Ryan and her husband, James Ryan, are listed in Allegheny County property records as the homeowners.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. It was reported about 1:10 p.m. Officials said it was limited to the basement and quickly brought under control.
Debbie Ryan said she was at work when her husband called and told her about the fire and the death of Rita Ryan, her sister-inlaw. A co-worker drove her to the home.
Debbie Ryan and her husband, Gary, said they were in shock.
Debbie Ryan described her sister-in-law as an intelligent woman who knew the answers to almost every “Jeopardy” question.
Gary Ryan described her as a “Pittsburgh lady” who enjoyed watching Steelers games and having picnics with relatives.
“It’s hard to take in, you know,” Mr. Ryan said. “It seems, like, surreal.”
Penn Hills detectives, the municipality’s fire marshal, the county fire marshal and county homicide detectives responded to the fire.
County property records show that the two-story frame house was built in 1910.