A 74-year-old woman in San Simon died in house fire that officials said may have started when she attempted to light the furnace of her home.
On Monday evening, Cochise County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a structure fire in the 2700 block of North Park Road in San Simon, which is near Interstate 10 and the New Mexico state line. They were told the structure was engulfed in flames and there was someone screaming. The San Simon Fire Department also responded to the blaze.
When public safety personnel arrived they found Janet Thompson, 74, outside the home suffering from burns over most of her body, according to Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.
Thompson was taken to the San Simon Fire Department and from there taken by helicopter to a burn center in Phoenix. She died from her injuries, Capas said.
Witnesses told authorities they heard what appeared to be gunshots coming from near Thompson's residence and when they went outside they the saw the house in flames and Thompson on fire. Neighbors helped Thompson by smothering the flames and calling for assistance.
Investigators believe Thompson may have been trying to light the furnace inside the residence when the fire started. The investigation by the sheriff's office is continuing.
