A woman was killed early Tuesday morning after a fire tore through a home on Cleveland’s west side, according to the Cleveland Division of Fire.
The blaze broke out around 2:06 a.m. at a residence on West 148th Street near Terminal Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find the ranch-style home fully engulfed in flames. A 62-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive on the front porch and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This is just a tragic situation,” said Lt. Mike Norman, public information officer for the Cleveland Division of Fire.
Authorities said three people lived in the home: the victim, her adult son, and his girlfriend. The son was not home at the time of the fire. His girlfriend, who had been staying in the basement to help care for the woman, was awakened by smoke and attempted to rescue her but was unsuccessful.
The fire caused significant structural damage, destroying the ceiling on the home’s first floor. Firefighters also located a cat alive in the basement ceiling.
At this time, investigators do not suspect foul play, and there is no evidence to suggest arson. However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Due to the extent of the damage, it is unclear whether the home had functioning smoke detectors.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s identity once next of kin have been notified.