A compact but intense fire on Beeden Road claimed the life of an elderly woman at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters said thick smoke and intense flames made it impossible to reach her in time.
A neighbor and a passerby heard breaking glass, saw the fire and tried to get into the home by smashing out a bedroom window. The smoke and fire, however, stopped them.
Firefighters are looking into whether oxygen tanks found in the woman's home helped propel the flames.
"At this time it appears to be accidental pending autopsy reports from the state fire marshal's office," said Westport Fire Department Lt. Michael Silvia.
The victim has not been identified.
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