It has been ruled accidental, but a 72-year-old Hutchinson woman perished after a fire at 117 West 19th. She has been identified as Dorothy Cobb

Fire Chief Kim Forbes says it appears the fire occurred late Wednesday night and says a family member discovered Cobb shortly before 4 p-m, Thursday afternoon. He then called 911 and fire officials and EMT’s responded to the home.

Forbes says the fire appears to have been in the living room area of the home. He says there was extreme heat damage from the cushions, such as sponge rubber which he says produces thick black smoke and believes the victim died from smoke inhalation.

The fire apparently burned itself out with no one in the neighborhood noticing anything unusual. There was no outward appearance of fire with the home, however it did appear to have some soot on the windows.

The victim was taken to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center in Wichita where an autopsy was performed. This was done because of the death being unattended.