W. Phila. woman dies amid heat wave, officials say

The three-day heat wave has claimed its first victim, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said yesterday.

An 83-year-old woman was found dead Monday night in the bedroom of her West Philadelphia home, said department spokesman Jeff Moran. The room was not air-conditioned, the windows were closed, and a small fan was running. The woman, who was not identified, died of heart disease and heat exposure, Moran said.

The heat wave is the first of the season, and yesterday was the third consecutive day of temperatures of 90 degrees or higher in the city. Today is expected to be a bit cooler. - Sam Wood