Barnstable Woman, Dog Die In Fire

CENTERVILLE, MA — An elderly Centerville woman and her dog were killed in a house fire Sunday morning in Centerville, according to fire officials.

Emergency officials were called to the fire around 7:45 a.m., at a Harrison Road home, after a neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the house. With smoke visible from the windows, and roof, firefighters launched an aggressive attack on the fire and searched for people inside.

Fire officials said they found a 66-year-old woman and her pet dog. Emergency responders performed CPR and then took the woman to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, where she was pronounced dead. The dog was ruled dead at the scene. Fire officials have yet to release the woman's identity.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but it was most likely caused by an electrical event in the front of the house. Foul play is not suspected at this time.

Mutual aid was rendered by the Barnstable, Cotuit, Hyannis, and West Barnstable fire departments, Barnstable Police, and the Barnstable County Sheriff's Department.

Officials reminded residents not to overload electrical outlets or use power strips or extension cords for appliances such as air conditioners. When charging devices such as phones and laptops, be sure to do so on hard surfaces, not on beds or sofas, fire officials said.