Woman dead after overnight apartment fire in Racine

RACINE -- A 56-year-old woman is dead after an overnight apartment fire in Racine. Investigators say there were multiple oxygen tanks in the apartment, but they did not cause harm to people fighting the fire.

The Racine Police Department says the fire broke out just after midnight on Friday, April 27, near 14th Street and Park Avenue in Racine. Firefighters were able to locate the victim quickly and transport her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Fire officials say a working smoke detector could have saved the victim's life.

"We did not find any smoke detectors within her apartment at all.  There was a working smoke detector in the staircase hallway leading up to her apartment, and that was sounding," Lt. Jeff Perkins with the Racine Fire Department said.

The Racine Fire Department says the fire appears to be accidental at this point, but they are still investigating to determine the exact cause.

The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the other residents of the building.

Investigators have not yet released the name of the victim.