Authorities Investigate Deadly House Fire in Dallas Co.

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

The cause of a house fire that claimed the life of an 80 year old Dallas County woman is under investigation by authorities.

Sheriff’s Office investigator Capt. Mike Granthum says the fire happened at a house in the Tyler community on County Road 420 Thursday afternoon.

“There’s a neighbor that lived close by to the structure and noticed some smoke bellowing from the residence,” said Granthum.

“He knew from prior experience his neighbor was an eighty year old female in that residence, that is somewhat handicapped. He tried to rush in and rescue the female from the blaze, he was unable to gain entry into the house, the house was locked up and it was secure.

Granthum says the woman’s body has been sent to the Department of Forensics in Montgomery to determine the exact cause of death.

“We don’t want to take any chances. We want to turn every rock, just to make sure there’s no foul play or anything. We’re not expecting any at this time but until we get a forensics report back we always work it as a suspicious death.”

Granthum says the woman’s name is being withheld pending notification of family.

He says the state fire marshal’s office has been called in to help with the investigation.