ERIE, Pa.—A coroner has identified two women who were burned beyond recognition after they were apparently trapped in a house fire in Erie.

Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook says 31-year-old Tyreesha Richardson, and 43-year-old Gwyneth Henry, died in the fire Sunday.

Cook pronounced the women dead at the scene about 5 a.m. Sunday. Their bodies were found in the attic of the house, which had two apartments. The fire was reported about 3:25 a.m.

Erie's chief fire inspector, Guy Santone, says the cause of the fire has not been determined.

The women were friends. A benefit for their children, a 13-year-old boy and two girls, aged 11 and 8, will be held Friday.

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Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com