A Benton County woman died in an early morning fire Saturday that destroyed the home where she and her husband lived, authorities said.
Benton County sheriff's spokesman Keshia Guyll identified the victim as Carolyn Smallwood, 74.
Fire Marshal Marc Trollinger said the woman's body was found in a bedroom at the home at 12784 Pleasure Heights Road in rural Benton County. The husband, whom Trollinger did not name, was awakened by the smoke and ran 100 yards uphill to a neighbor's home to call for help. The alarm came in at 3:42 a.m., Trollinger said.
The fire, which started in a laundry room, spread to the rest of the house. Trollinger said that when the first firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was completely ablaze.
About 25 firefighters from the Hickory Creek, Pleasure Heights, Nob Hill and Lowell fire departments responded to the fire. Trollinger said no firefighters were injured and no equipment was damaged.
The firefighters, however, had obstacles to overcome in reaching the house. Trollinger said it was difficult to gain entry to the property because of an 8-foot-high locked fence that surrounded it.
A power line also had fallen on a metal building and electrified it, making it dangerous for firefighters to approach the house. The power company had to be called in to shut off the power, Trollinger said.
There were several dogs that lived in cages and kennels on the property, but the dogs did not hamper the firefighters, he said.
Trollinger said the house, which was a total loss, was not insured.
Metro on 09/14/2014