Fatal Millcreek fire remains under investigation

Yahoo

21-04-2025

Michael Cliff, fire chief of Millcreek Township, said initial calls for the fatal fire on South Park Lane were for smoke coming from the windows.
Cliff said one of the volunteers who arrived first on the scene confirmed that it was a working structure fire that had gone through one of the windows.
'Once these fires, what we call self-vent, they really can take off because you introduce a lot of oxygen to the fire. So, when initial crews got on scene, the fire was pretty well involved,' said Cliff.
Cliff said multiple agencies, including the state fire marshal, City of Erie Fire Department and Millcreek Township, are investigating the incident as the cause remains unknown.
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He said this fire, along with other recent fires and fatalities in the township, are being taken into consideration.
'So far, there doesn't look like there's any malicious intent around these fires, but we still want to do our due diligence to make sure that we're investigating them to the fullest,' said Cliff. 'We obviously want to keep pushing the fact that you need to have working smoke detectors in your home, one on every floor and one in every bedroom.'
Robin Mysnyk is a neighbor of the victim and said she is one of her best friends.
She recalled the victim being a quiet, private person, and one of the best neighbors she's ever had.
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'Between the time that me and my boyfriend left and we went out to my sister's house, it must've happened because it's within like half an hour, and I was like 'I just talked to her,'' said Mysnyk.
Mysnyk recalled the final conversation she had with the woman whom she calls her best friend.
'I called her up and said 'Hey, happy Easter' and she was like 'Oh, I love you honey, and happy Easter.' She goes, 'Oh, I'm making you a cake, and I was calling to see if you wanted to come with us,' which, I wish she would've now. She said, 'No I'm going to have her sister in law over.' She said 'No, I'll just stay here, I'll see you later,'' said Mysnyk.
Again, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Mysnyk said she is aware of her neighbor having smoke detectors present in the home.
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