LAFAYETTE, La. — An elderly woman died in a house fire Thursday afternoon in Lafayette.
A spokesperson for the Lafayette Fire Department said firefighters responded to the 1100 block of 11th Street shortly before 6 p.m. after a fire was reported by several neighbors.
When firefighters arrived, neighbors told them someone was inside the house. Firefighters then entered the home to search for the occupant, who was found in the kitchen. The woman, 69-year-old Gwendolyn Smith, was brought outside where first responders performed CPR until Acadian Ambulance arrived on scene.
Smith was transported to a local hospital, but she did not survive her injuries.
The interior of the home sustained heavy fire damage, the spokesperson said. Smith resided at the home with her son, who was not home at the time of the fire.
Investigators determined the fire originated on a sofa in the living room and was caused by a cigarette left unattended.
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