EL DORADO — Investigators say a 72-year-old woman in El Dorado died in a house fire while apparently trying to save her pet dog.
The El Dorado News-Times reports that Irma Thompson was found dead on the floor of her burned home with a small black dog at her side. The dog also died in the Monday fire.
A witness who called firefighters at about 2 a.m. Monday told investigators he tried to go in the house but couldn’t because of heavy smoke and flames.
Several minutes earlier, the fire department was called by an alarm company, which said Thompson’s house was burning. Dispatchers called Thompson, who said there was no fire and the call was canceled.
Officials say Thompson died of smoke inhalation and that the fire was likely accidental.