Friday fires kill one woman, destroy four homes

By Nathan Mayberg
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP — An 88-year-old woman died last Friday night in a fire at Woodside Trail in Delaware Township, in one of two destructive fires to break out that day.

Dingman's Ferry United Methodist Church Pastor Douglas Miller said Virginia Straulina, an 88-year-old member of his congregation, was the victim.

The Rev. Miller said Straulina was "quite a lady."

"It's very sad," he said.
The fire apparently began at the rear of the home at approximately 6:15 p.m. on May 8, according to the state police. A cause has not been established.

The victim was found dead on the first floor of the of the residence near a front window. No other information is available, said State Police Sgt. Brian Vennie.

A celebration of her memory will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Dingman's Ferry United Methodist Church at 115 Myck Road.

"We're a very affirming congregation," Miller said. "We believe in life eternal."

Straulina is survived by a daughter, Lynn Frederick, of Goshen, N.Y.

Four homes destroyed
An earlier fire on Milford Landing Drive left several residents homeless when four townhouses were consumed by fire at about 2 p.m. on May 8.

The attached townhouses were destroyed after a fire that appeared to have started on the exterior rear of a porch, according to state police.

The fire traveled into the attic of the home and spread to the neighboring townhouses through the common attic space.

The American Red Cross assisted the victims.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the state police.