Elderly Woman Dies In Burning Detroit Home

DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities say an 88-year-old woman was killed after being trapped in her burning home in northwest Detroit.

The fire took off Wednesday night at a home in the 19000 block of Westphalia, in a neighborhood west of Schoenherr and 7 Mile Road.

Neighbors tried in vain to save the woman, but the heat and flames were just too intense.

Investigators determined the fire started in the kitchen area.

Reports say the woman had asked a handyman to show her how to light her stove and investigators fear she may have left the burners on.

The fire remains under investigation. The woman's name was not released.