KOKOMO, Ind. — An investigation is underway in Kokomo, where authorities say a person died in an apartment fire Wednesday afternoon.
The fire happened in an apartment complex located in the 2100 block of Joyce Drive East.
Kokomo Police Department officers and Kokomo Fire Department firefighters were called there shortly after 3:30 p.m. First responders were told witnesses were trying to get a victim out of the apartment. A Howard County sheriff's deputy helped the witnesses pull the victim out of the apartment.
The victim, identified as 45-year-old Tonya Marie Bergen-Rowe of Kokomo, was pronounced dead at the scene. Bergen-Rowe's autopsy was done Thursday.
According to the Howard County Coroner's Office, the initial findings where consistent with inhalation and thermal injuries as a result of the fire. The final cause and manner of death are pending toxicology and lab results that will take 6 to 8 weeks.
Fire crews were able to quickly contain the fire after arriving. The fire department and Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the origin and cause of the fire. The police department is also conducting a death investigation in the case.
Anyone with information about about the fire should call Detective Brent Wines at 765-456-7342 or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017.