A fire Monday night in Greektown killed a retired public defender described by neighbors as a “very sweet” longtime resident, a family member confirmed Tuesday.

Patricia Lesnick, who had lived on the 300 block of South Newkirk Street for more than 30 years, died in the fire, according to her brother, Albert Lesnick. Neighbors described the 71-year-old woman as a kind retiree who loved her dog.

“This really broke this neighborhood’s heart,” said longtime Newkirk Street resident Monica Lemus, who had known her elderly neighbor for roughly 20 years. “Everybody was outside; everybody was outside crying.”

The fire department did not identify the victim other than describing her as a “female civilian.” Albert Lesnick, who no longer lives in Baltimore, said he did not know much about his sister’s death other than what police had told him Monday night, though he expected to hear more on Tuesday. He had been told his sister died of smoke inhalation.

Baltimore Fire officials said Tuesday that smoke, fire and water affected eight residences during Monday evening’s fatal blaze. The American Red Cross is assisting six families with recovery resources, including financial assistance, mental and emotional support and help replacing essential items lost in the fire, a spokesperson said.

Firefighters responded shortly after 5 p.m. to a report of a dwelling fire and found heavy smoke and flames in the front and back of two residences, the fire department said. The conflagration was eventually upgraded to a three-alarm fire as it quickly spread to other units, according to the department.

The fire was contained and extinguished by 7:45 p.m., the fire department said. Lesnick died at her home, 308 S. Newkirk St., and no other injuries were reported.

“Pat was a dedicated public defender who went above and beyond for her clients,” said Marguerite E. Lanaux, the district public defender for Baltimore City who worked with Lesnick at Baltimore’s Hargrove District Court. “She will be truly missed in the community.”

Maryland Public Defender Natasha M. Dartigue said that Lesnick’s death was a “tragedy,” adding that the office’s “condolences go out to Pat’s family and all those who loved her.”

Neighbors remembered Lesnick, known to some as “Ms. Pat,” as a generous woman who often walked her dog and gave away extra grocery store coupons to families in the neighborhood. Lesnick had given Lemus “very good advice when I went through stuff.”

“I know that she’s in a better place with her dog,” Lemus said. Marsh could not confirm whether a dog died in the fire, noting that Animal Control officers were not called to the scene.

The fire department is investigating the cause of the fire. Three rowhouses were marked with red signs Tuesday afternoon denoting them as unsafe as crews swept up broken glass. Another rowhome had its windows boarded up, and people were packing up items upstairs in a fifth residence next to a broken window.

Teresa Heatly, who lives in the 200 block of South Newkirk Street, said she “saw fire shooting from the roof” up the block on Monday night.

“Just before the holidays that is so sad,” she said.

The Greektown Neighborhood Association said Tuesday on social media that it would be collecting donations of essential items after Thanksgiving at John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School and was collecting monetary donations online.

Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson @baltsun.com. Contact Dillon Mullan at dmullan @baltsun.com. Baltimore Sun photojournalist Kevin Richardson contributed to this article.