By BOB OLIVER
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — A fire at house in the 2600 block of Byrd killed an elderly woman and caused thousands of dollars in damage March 23.
Fire Chief Joseph Murray said the 90-year-old resident was found in a kitchen doorway and was the lone occupant in the house.
He added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation but initial reports indicate it may be related to cigarette smoking.
Firefighters and emergency responders were called to the scene by an alarm company just before 9 a.m. and discovered flames rising from the rear of the house.
Murray said the majority of the fire was contained in a Florida room and that the 16 firefighters who responded to the scene had the fire contained in about 20 minutes.
“Our crews were able to get there six minutes after being notified and found the fire at the rear of the house going pretty good,” Murray said. “But they were able to get it under control and save the house.”
Murray said said an estimated $50,000 worth of damage occurred in the fire, with the Florida room heavily damaged, the kitchen sustaining minor damage and smoke damage in other areas.
He said that the last crew members left the house at 11:40 a.m.
(Bob Oliver can be reached at [email protected])