Johnstown Community Grieves 62-Year-Old Lynda Marrone Lost in Moxham Apartment Fire
JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA — The Johnstown community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Lynda Marrone, 62, who tragically passed away early Thursday morning, November 6, 2025, after a devastating fire swept through her third-floor apartment in the Moxham section of Johnstown. The fire, which erupted before dawn, left the neighborhood in shock and sorrow as emergency crews battled heavy smoke and flames in a desperate effort to save her.
According to Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees, emergency dispatchers received reports of a structure fire at approximately 4:23 a.m. in the 500 block of Highland Avenue. Firefighters from multiple stations, including the Johnstown Fire Department, Richland Township Fire, and West Hills Regional Fire Department, responded to the scene within minutes. Thick smoke and flames were already visible from the upper floor of the three-story brick apartment building.
Crews entered the building through dense smoke conditions to conduct search and rescue operations. Tragically, during their sweep, firefighters located Lynda Marrone inside her third-floor apartment’s living room area, near the doorway. Despite immediate rescue efforts and attempts at resuscitation, she was pronounced deceased at the scene by Coroner Lees at approximately 5:12 a.m.
An autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause of death, though preliminary findings suggest smoke inhalation may have been a major contributing factor. Coroner Lees described the scene as “heartbreaking” and expressed his condolences to Lynda’s family and friends, emphasizing the dedication of the first responders who risked their lives in the attempt to reach her.
The Johnstown Fire Department confirmed that the fire originated on the third floor, though investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Unit and local authorities are still working to determine the precise cause. Early reports indicate that the blaze may have started in the kitchen area, but officials have not ruled out the possibility of an electrical malfunction or an accidental ignition.
Neighbors described waking to the sound of sirens, smoke alarms, and the flickering glow of flames. “It was chaos,” said Rebecca Norris, who lives across the street. “The smoke was so thick you could barely see. Everyone was outside watching and praying that the firefighters could get her out.”
Fire crews managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour, preventing it from spreading to adjacent units. The building, however, sustained significant smoke and water damage, displacing several other residents. The American Red Cross is assisting those affected, providing temporary housing and emergency supplies.
For those who knew Lynda Marrone, the loss feels deeply personal. A lifelong resident of Johnstown, she was known as a kindhearted woman with a warm smile and a generous spirit. Friends say she had lived on Highland Avenue for more than a decade and was a familiar face in the Moxham neighborhood.
“She was the type of person who would check in on her neighbors, bring food when someone was sick, and never had a bad word to say about anyone,” said Tom Whitaker, a longtime friend. “Lynda loved her community and her family — she didn’t have much, but she gave whatever she could.”
Lynda worked part-time at a local grocery store and spent much of her free time caring for her elderly mother before her mother’s passing several years ago. Those close to her say that even after that loss, she remained resilient and optimistic, often talking about her hopes of traveling to see her grandchildren in Pittsburgh.
Her niece, Angela Marrone, shared through tears, “She was our family’s heart. We can’t believe she’s gone. She always told us that home was her safe place — and it’s just unbearable to think that’s where she lost her life.”
Local officials have announced that a vigil will be held Saturday evening at Roxbury Park to honor Lynda’s memory. Candles and flowers already line the steps of her apartment building, left by neighbors who say her kindness will never be forgotten.
The fire investigation remains ongoing, and officials have urged residents to check smoke detectors and fire alarms in their homes as a safety reminder.
As the community of Johnstown comes to terms with the sudden loss, one thing is clear — Lynda Marrone will be remembered for the light she brought into others’ lives, the compassion she showed to her neighbors, and the legacy of love she leaves behind.
“She didn’t just live here — she made this block feel like family,” said neighbor Rebecca Norris. “Now the whole neighborhood feels a little dimmer without her.”
