The cause of a house fire that killed a woman in Essex is under investigation.

59-year-old Carolyn Kirchner died Saturday morning after her home caught fire.

Kirchner was found badly burned and on the couch in her living room after the blaze was extinguished. A family dog also died in the fire.

Firemen were called to the home about 9:45 am. The victim was pronounced dead around 11 am.

The single-story ranch-style home showed extensive damage to the front side. Kirchner's husband was not home at the time of the fire.

94.1 WGFA.