Fire officials were called out Tuesday morning around 3:30 a.m. to the 900 block of East 12th Street in Big Spring.
"When we arrived for the most part, it was fully involved. Our understanding it was a fatality. The victim had already been removed from the house by the relatives," Big Spring Fire Marshal, Carl Condray, said.
Fire officials say Doris Lewis (believed to be in her 60's) died as a result of the fire. She was taken to the hospital were she was pronounced dead.
"The investigation is ongoing, all indications appear it was an accidental fire. It appears to have been a space heater. Combustibles were to close to the space heater," Condray said.
Members of the community who know the family say this is a hard time for them. Not too long ago, the family lost another member in car accident.
"This is kind of double tragedy for the Lewis family. Mrs. Lewis daughter died in a fatal accident on FM 700 and then to have this fatality and a fire so close to the holidays. It's just a hard time for the family. My heart goes out to them. You feel for people in any situation like this. To have two deaths so close together really has to be hard on the rest of the family," Municipal Judge, Timothy Green, said.
This is the third fire fatality in Howard County in less than a month and officials want to warn residents about the dangers of heating devices in your home.
"Follow the directions and the instructions on all the appliances. Make sure that they are functioning properly, that they are clean and make sure that they have adequate safe space around them away from combustibles and the same goes with decorations and candles. You have to respect that they are an ignition source and can do tremendous damage if not properly used," Condray said.
Members of the Lewis family are staying with other family members in Big Spring.
