Dec 13, 2015 1 min read

CHESWICK (AP) – Authorities say a woman died in an apartment fire in western Pennsylvania.

Fire officials in Allegheny County said the blaze was reported in a Harmar Township residence just before noon Sunday.

Chief Kevin Funkhouser of the Allegheny Valley fire department said crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from a second-story unit. He said the victim was found on the second floor.

Neighbors said the woman tossed a cat out of the window but was unable to escape. They said they tried to reach her but the flames and smoke prevented them.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.