The cause of an early Monday house fire where a deceased person was found is under investigation, officials said.

The fire occurred at a home in the 1300 block of Pruitt Street. Athens Fire & Rescue Chief Bryan Thornton said his department received the call at about 4:40 a.m.

Thornton said when firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was fully engulfed with flames, “from one end of the house to the other.” He said flames were also coming through the roof.

Thornton said a family member of the deceased approached the scene and told firefighters an elderly woman was still inside. When the home was safe enough to enter, personnel located the woman’s body.

The News Courier’s news partner WAFF-48 identified the woman as 78-year-old Ada Yarborough, though that could not be independently confirmed through Limestone County Coroner Mike West.

Thornton said the Alabama Fire Marshal has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Thornton said there was no indication about where or how the fire started. Athens Fire & Rescue, State Fire Marshal and Athens Police Department are investigating the cause.