Firefighters found the body of a 75-year-old woman and her dog inside a Dallas home that caught fire Friday morning, Dallas Fire-Rescue says.
A DFR spokesman said crews received a 911 call about 5:16 a.m. for a house fire on the 3800 block of Frank Street, in the Fair Park area of Dallas.
Flames were shooting from the back of the home when first responders arrived, the spokesman said. Crews used hand-lines to bring the fire under control.
Once the flames were extinguished, crews found the woman and her small dog inside the home, DFR said. No one else was inside the building and no other injuries were reported.
The Medical Examiner has yet to officially release the woman's name but neighbors said she was like a motherly figure in this community, beloved by her family.
A fire captain said she had recently spoken to her family within the hour leading up to the fire.
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"As any of us would be, they're very upset. It sounds like she was very independent lady and very loved by her children and in constant contact -- even as early as 4 a.m. this morning," said Capt. Melanie Forbes-Scott of Dallas Fire Rescue. "So it's very heart wrenching, even to us. We hate anyone to lose their life, especially in a fire."
Forbes-Scott said the home also did not have a smoke alarm.
"The number one thing we like to stress is to have working smoke alarms in your homes. It does seem that this home did not have working smoke alarm. And we do offer those free of charge," she said.
The Dallas County medical examiner will determine how the woman died.
Investigators are looking into what may have caused the fire.
"It was a very cold morning. Also, we're looking at factors, including electrical factors," said Capt. Forbes-Scott.
