Joanna Policichio Obituary – A person has tragically lost their life in a fire that occurred on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by dispatchers in Westmoreland County. Another individual was transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Ava Rash, a reporter from Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, later verified that the deceased person was an 84-year-old woman, while her husband was airlifted to a hospital in the Pittsburgh area. The fire started at approximately 1:30 a.m. on McKinley Street in Bolivar, according to Westmoreland County 911 dispatchers. Witnesses reported seeing the flames and promptly called 911. One neighbor even attempted to alert the occupants by knocking on the door, but unfortunately, it was locked.
Christine Jones, a resident of Bolivar, emphasized the close-knit nature of the community. Bolivar Fire Chief John Speidel stated that upon arrival, the porch was already engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading into the house. The intense heat even caused damage to the neighboring home’s siding. Christine Jones mentioned that she woke up around 1:40 a.m. and initially mistook the sound of fire trucks for a garbage truck.
She expressed confidence in the community’s support for the grieving family, as she has witnessed their incredible unity in the past. The woman who lost her life in the fire has been identified as Joanna Policichio by the coroner. At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown.
