Berea woman, 72, dies in house fire
A Berea woman died in a fire early Sunday in her home at 316 Prospect St.
According to Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison, Mary Gabriel, 72, apparently died at the scene from smoke inhalation. Cornelison was informed of the results of an autopsy by the state medical examiner, he said.
According to the Berea Fire Department, firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday. Flames and smoke were visible upon arrival, fire officials said.
"On the initial attack we found that the stairway was burnt so that there was no access to the second story," stated a press release from the Berea Fire Department, noting that firefighters had to gain access to the second floor through the windows.
"Upon a search of the structure we found an elderly female in the structure on the second floor. After investigation by our department and the State Fire Marshal's Office, it was determined to be an electrical short that caused the fire," the press release stated.
Officials said Gabriel's two children, a daughter from Texas and a son from Oregon, will be traveling to Kentucky to handle arrangements. No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.
According to Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison, Mary Gabriel, 72, apparently died at the scene from smoke inhalation. Cornelison was informed of the results of an autopsy by the state medical examiner, he said.
According to the Berea Fire Department, firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday. Flames and smoke were visible upon arrival, fire officials said.
"On the initial attack we found that the stairway was burnt so that there was no access to the second story," stated a press release from the Berea Fire Department, noting that firefighters had to gain access to the second floor through the windows.
"Upon a search of the structure we found an elderly female in the structure on the second floor. After investigation by our department and the State Fire Marshal's Office, it was determined to be an electrical short that caused the fire," the press release stated.
Officials said Gabriel's two children, a daughter from Texas and a son from Oregon, will be traveling to Kentucky to handle arrangements. No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.