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One person was killed and another rescued from a smoky fire in a multi-family house on Converse Street early Sunday Morning.

(Dave Canton, Republican)

SPRINGFIELD — One person died in a fire that broke out in a three-story residential building on Converse Street early Sunday morning.

Dennis Leger, aide to Springfield Fire Department Commissioner Joseph Conant, said one of two people rescued from the burning building was pronounced dead soon after arriving at Baystate Medical Center.

Two firefighters made their way to a third-floor apartment at 25-27 Converse St. in the Forest Park neighborhood, where they found someone lying on the kitchen floor. The person was carried downstairs to waiting medical personnel, who immediately began CPR and rushed the victim a nearby ambulance.

Another woman was rescued from a second-floor porch, where she became stranded after trying to flee the fire. Firefighters were able to take the uninjured woman off the roof by ladder.

Witnesses called authorities at 3:52 a.m., Leger said. City police officers were first to arrive on scene.

Leger said flames apparently gutted the third floor of the building, while the second and first floors sustained mostly water and smoke damage. Twelve people were left homeless as a result of the fire. Red Cross officials were expected to help the fire victims with temporary lodging and other necessities.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad and the state Fire Marshal's Office, Leger said. The Fire Marshal's Office routinely takes part in all fatal fire investigations.

Officials are withholding the name of the victim pending notification of family.