Woman, 82, dies in Maple Shade fire

A 82-year-old woman died Sunday night after a fire broke out in her apartment and destroyed parts of a Maple Shade apartment building.

The flames were too intense by the time fire fighters arrived to save Angelina Constantine, who was partially disabled and unable to escape on her own, according to Fire Chief Andrew Simonsick.

"We made every attempt to get in there and get her out, but the fire was just way too bad," he said.

More than 40 other residents escaped uninjured from the 20-unit building at Maple Terrace Apartments on Rudderow Avenue.

"Everyone else got out alive and fine," Simonsick said.

Two Maple Shade fire fighters, however, required medical treatment. One suffered dehydration and minor burns, the other a shoulder injury, Simonsick said.

Eight apartments in the two-story building were destroyed, and the other 12 suffered various degrees of smoke and water damage, the chief said.

The two-alarm blaze was under control between 9 and 9:30 p.m., Simonsick said.

How the fire started was being investiged.

"It definitely wasn't arson. It was accidental in nature," Simonsick said. ". . . Nothing suspicious about this fire."

The Red Cross assisted in providing shelter for evacuees.