Authorities: Woman, Dog Die In New Jersey House Fire

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 56-year-old woman and dog are dead after a fire ripped through a New Jersey home.

The fire broke out around 4 p.m. Sunday on Galloping Hill Road in Elizabeth. Firefighters found the woman and dog unresponsive in the house.

Elizabeth spokeswoman Kelly Vence tells NJ.com that lightning may have sparked the blaze. Heavy thunderstorms were passing through much of the area when it broke out.

Vence says heavy rain has been hindering the investigation.

It's unclear if anyone else was living in the home.

Authorities aren't identifying the woman until her family is notified.

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