Woman found dead after fire in Vineland, New Jersey

VINELAND, New Jersey (WPVI) -- An investigation is underway in Cumberland County, New Jersey following a deadly fire on Friday morning.

Crews were called to the 700 block of East Grape Street in Vineland just before 9 a.m.

Neighbors tell Action News an elderly woman who used a wheelchair was the victim found at the scene.

"My pastor called me and said check your camera, a fire in front of your house. I check my camera, it's my neighbor," said Ava Hernandez who lives across the street. "The daughter tried to save her. She's heavy, she couldn't do it."

It only took fire crews a matter of minutes to respond to the heavily engulfed scene Friday morning, but by that time it was already too late.

"Upon initial attack, we did primary search along with initial attack and found the deceased in the house in the bed," said Vineland Fire Chief, Luigi Tramontana Jr. "It was her daughter who alerted us her mother was inside."

It took around 40 firefighters close to an hour to contain the fire.

The lone survivor was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

A dog was also killed in the fire.

A neighbor described the intense scene.

"I came home and was like, 'oh my gosh, something bad had to have happened.' There were firefighters and fire marshals and everyone here. There was no space for anybody to come by, it was an emergency, and turned out it was horrible what happened," said Anais Hernandez of Vineland.

The home was destroyed by the flames.

Authorities are now investigating what may have caused this fatal fire.

The name of the woman killed has not been released.