Woman, Toddler Killed in Rochester Fire

ROCHESTER - A woman and her 2-year-old daughter have died in a fire at their apartment in Rochester.

Police on Friday identified the victims as 25-year-old Melissa Phiefer and her 2-year-old daughter, Emily. Firefighters were called to the apartment building about 6 p.m. Thursday. Fire crews used ladders to bring several people down from the roof and from a balcony.

Deputy Fire Chief Vance Swisher says the fire was started by smoking materials on a futon in the apartment's living room.

The mother was pronounced dead at the scene. The child was taken to St. Marys Hospital where she was declared dead. Preliminary autopsy results show both died from smoke inhalation.

This story has been corrected with police department's updated spelling of victims' last name.