ST. LOUIS — A woman died in a house fire in south St. Louis Friday afternoon.
The St. Louis Fire Department responded to the 3700 block of Robert Avenue around 12:10 p.m. Initial reports said a person was trapped in the fire.
St. Louis Metropolitan police said a 70-year-old woman died in the fire. The police department said its bomb and arson unit was requested to the scene.
Neighbor Deborah Evans said she called 911 when she noticed smoke coming from the front door around 12:00 p.m.
Before firefighters responded, another neighbor, Dave Kohler, said he grabbed his fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames himself.
“The smoke was coming out too thick. I couldn't get in the house. I tried breaking a window out, but it just created bigger flames,” Kohler said.
He said he’d known the woman for 20 years, and he knew immediately she was home when the fire started.
“Her car doors were open. Her trunk was open, and her dog was outside on a leash, so I pretty much knew she was inside, I just couldn't get in to do anything,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing.
The house is in the Boulevard Heights neighborhood.
No other details have been made available.
This is a developing story and will be updated as 5 On Your Side receives more information.