BOWIE, Md. --
A person is found dead inside a house that ignited early Tuesday morning in Bowie.
Firefighters went to the two-story, single-family home in the 15000 block of Jenkins Ridge Road near Jackson Valley Road at about 5 a.m. after neighbors called to report the fire.
The fire started in the garage and spread to the house, officials said. Heavy fire had consumed the entire second floor by the time rescuers arrived. Firefighters tried to fight the fire from the inside of the home but had to retreat because of unsafe conditions, fire officials said.
Fire officials said that after battling the fire for more than an hour, firefighters re-entered the home and discovered a person dead in a second-floor bedroom over the garage.
Fire officials are waiting for the Medical Examiner's Office to confirm the victim's identity. Neighbors said the victim is a woman. They said she was a beloved mother and avid churchgoer.
The home that was destroyed had an auction sign out front, News4' Michael Flynn reported. Neighbors said the woman had been trying to sell the home for the past year or so but was having a tough time.
Fire officials said the home had a fire sprinkler system.
Fire officials and the county police department's homicide unit are conducting an investigation.
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