A woman is dead following an early-morning house fire on South Bend’s south side.

Just after 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, South Bend Fire Department crews were dispatched to the 600 block of South Brookfield Street for a reported residential structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire at the front of the home and immediately began an aggressive interior attack.

During a search of the residence, firefighters located a female victim and removed her from the home. Life-saving measures were initiated at the scene, but she was pronounced dead. Several cats were also found deceased inside the home.

A neighboring residence sustained damage from the fire. Crews were able to bring the blaze under control within approximately 40 minutes.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.