Woman killed in Dayton’s first fatal fire this year identified

A woman is dead following a house fire on Ashwood Avenue on Sunday night, marking Dayton’s first fire fatality of the year.

Darlene Alston, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

The fire was reported in the 300 block of Ashwood Avenue around 8:32 p.m. When crews arrived, flames were showing according to the Dayton Fire Department.

Firefighters entered the house to search for people inside and located an adult, later identified as Alston.

Alston was removed within about two minutes of the fire department’s arrival, but her injuries were determined to be non-survivable, according to the fire department.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire damage was contained to the front of the home. A damage estimate is pending.

The fire department is working with the coroner’s office to determine Alston’s cause of death. The cause of the fire is also under investigation.