A 40-year-old homeless Mt. Vernon woman was treated on the scene for minor smoke inhalation after the vacant home she was using for shelter caught fire Tuesday morning.
Mt. Vernon Fire Chief Kevin Sargent says the woman was burning clothing to try and stay warm when the fire got away from her and spread to the vacant house at 509 Grand Avenue that was scheduled for demolition.
Sargent said the story and a half structure received further heavy damage in the fire.
The fire department called the Red Cross to assist the fire victim.
Firemen were on the scene for about an hour.
