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Ravenswood woman killed in fire started from cigarette

By Cynthia Koons

Margaret Yearby, 89, was in the apartment with her grandson, Michael Warner, 30, who tried to save her but was unable to, according to published reports. “He comes for security but he couldn't keep her secure,” said Irene Richter, an elder residentwho had lived at the housing complex at 35-52 24th St. for 27 years.She learned of the fire from neighbors in the housing complex. From the outside, Yearby's windows were blackened with smoke residue Sunday. Authorities said the fire was not classified as intentional.”We were terribly upset,” Richter said. “She was an old lady, very well-respected.”FDNY spokesman Mike Loughran said the fire was called in at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday and was under control by 7:52 a.m. It took about 60 firefighters to extinguish the blaze, Loughran said.Richter said the grandson, who normally came to spend the night with his grandmother after her home attendant was finished for the day, was unable to call the Fire Department because the phone in the apartment was not working.Authorities at the Ravenswood Housing Complex would not comment on her death and the city Department of Housing officials said they could not confirm whether the phone was inoperative.Richter said Yearby normally sat in her wheelchair with a home attendant outside in the afternoons. Richter said the older woman was always well-dressed and in good spirits.”Yesterday she was alone. Her home attendant is only for daytime. Her grandson comes almost every night for security,” Richter said.She said neighbors told her that the grandson could not break through the fire to reach Yearby and that it was not until a woman from across the complex heard a loud explosion that the Fire Department was alerted to the blaze by a cell phone call.Loughran said two people, one civilian and one firefighter, were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Astoria with minor injuries.Yearby was pronounced dead on the scene, according to published reports. “She was full of life. She liked to joke and laugh,” Richter said, adding the fatal fire was “like a bad night dream.”Reach reporter Cynthia Koons by e-mail at [email protected] or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 141.