Coraopolis woman burned in oxygen tank explosion dies

A Coraopolis woman who was severely burned when her oxygen tank exploded has died.

Karen Tomko, 59, was smoking in her Fourth Avenue home when the tank exploded about 10 p.m. Sunday.

She was pronounced dead at 5:24 a.m. Monday at UPMC Mercy, Uptown, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.

About 80 percent of her body was burned. The medical examiner's office ruled her death an accident.

Tomko's 60-year-old husband burned his hands while trying to help her, Coraopolis Fire Chief Larry Byrge said.