by LINDSAY FABER
Two electrical fires, one in Staten Island and another in Manhattan, claimed the lives of two people, including a 98-year-old woman,fire officials said.
The first fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. at 1651 Castleton Ave. in a two-story home in Staten Island, fire officials said.
William Bass, 77, who was bed-ridden, was unable to escape the fire, despite efforts by his wife to get him out, and succumbed to the smoke and flames, fire officials said.
About 60 firefighters worked to put the blaze out at 3:09 p.m., a Fire Department spokesman said. Seven firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The second fatal fire broke out just before 6 p.m. in a second-floor apartment at 25 Convent Ave., a five-story building near 129th Street in Harlem, fire officials said.
Gertrude Stewart was unable to escape the fire and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 6:30 p.m.
Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.
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