A 73-year-old woman was found deceased in her home after a fire Sunday morning in Bowling Green. The fire department is not releasing the name of the victim until more family members are notified.
Bowling Green Fire Division was called to the two-story single-family home at 452 S. Summit St., at 6:44 a.m.
The fire was reported by a neighbor, who reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to get in the home’s front door and side door. With the help of a BG Police officer, the neighbor was able to get the back door open, but the fire kept them from entering, according to Fire Chief Bill Moorman.
When fire crews arrived on the scene there was heavy fire and smoke pouring from the first floor windows and the front porch, according to BGFD Deputy Chief Tony Zmarzly. The fire crews began aggressively attacking the fire and attempting a primary search for anyone inside, he said.
The search was hampered because of reported hoarding conditions in the house. The large amount of stored belongings in the house likely increased the fire intensity, slowed the efforts to extinguish the blaze, and made searching for anyone inside difficult.
The victim was found on the first floor.
The house is uninhabitable, with extensive fire damage to the first floor and heavy smoke damage to the second floor, Zmarzly said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, and is still under investigation.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, friends and neighbors,” Zmarzly said.
“This was a very tragic event,” Moorman said. “It’s always a difficult time for everybody.”
