77-Year-Old Woman Dies In Fire At Home Without Smoke Detectors: Authorities

DALE CITY, VA — A 77-year-old woman died after a house fire in Dale City on Saturday night, according to the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Fire department officials have not identified the victim by name.

Authorities have not identified what caused the fire, but the home sustained extensive damage.

The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday at a house in the 15000 block of Concord Drive. Residents in the area called for help when they noticed that the house was on fire, authorities said.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw smoke and fire emitting from the house.

"Upon entry, firefighting crews quickly rescued the victim and removed the 77-year-old to the outside where immediate life-saving measures were administered," the fire department said in a news release.

Emergency crews took the victim to a nearby medical facility, where she died of her injuries. Authorities said the Office of the Medical Examiner will determine what caused her death.

The fire department noted that another person who lived in the house was not there when the fire started.

"This home was not equipped with smoke detectors," fire and rescue officials said in a news release. "When properly installed and maintained, working smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire."

Authorities said working smoke detectors double a person's chances of surviving a house fire.