A woman who called 911 screaming for help died early Monday in a Ramona house fire, despite the efforts of three sheriff's deputies who frantically tried to get her out of the burning home, authorities said.

The victim, who was described as elderly and non-ambulatory and who used a wheelchair, had used her cellphone to call for help around 2:30 a.m.

The woman wasn't able to provide her address but deputies drove around the area until they came upon the burning home on Telford Lane off Seventh Street, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies forced open the door and made several attempts to reach the woman — but the house was quickly engulfed in flames.

The "heat and smoke and flames overtook them" and they were unable to get her out, said sheriff's Lt. Matt Cook.

"With smoke and flames overwhelming the deputies, they were forced to leave the house and were unable to rescue the woman inside," Sgt. Greg Hampton, who leads the sheriff's bomb-arson unit, said in a statement.

When firefighters from Cal Fire and the Ramona Fire Department arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the small home, said Cal Fire spokesman Frank LoCoco. Crews had the fire knocked down in about 40 minutes.

He said there were many items inside the home, which provided a "heavy fuel load" for the blaze. "The entire house is destroyed," he said.

LoCoco said the woman's two dogs were found safe outside of the home.

The injured deputies were transported to a hospital, where they were treated and released Monday morning. All three were treated for smoke inhalation.

Investigators with the sheriff's bomb-arson unit are trying to determine what sparked the blaze but said it does not appear the fire was the result of a criminal act.

"There is nothing suspicious about the fire at this time. What exactly started the fire remains under investigation," Hampton said.

The name of the woman who died has not been released. The Medical Examiner's Office will identify the body and determine cause and manner of death.

©2021 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.