A house fire that broke out just after 6 p.m. Monday at a home located at 718 Mattingly Street killed one woman before firefighters could extinguish the flames.

Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps said firefighters acted swiftly, but were unable to save the victim, whose identity has not yet been released.

“At approximately 6:11 p.m., the Vicksburg Fire Department received an urgent call regarding a structure fire, with reports indicating that two individuals were trapped inside,” Stamps said. “Upon their swift arrival at the scene, firefighters were met with a harrowing sight: a residential home engulfed in roaring flames and thick, billowing smoke.”

Stamps said the firefighters were able to fully extinguish the fire and found the victim in the process. A second woman inside the home was able to exit the structure without significant injury, Stamps confirmed.

“Without hesitation, the brave crews donned their protective gear and launched an aggressive interior attack, carefully navigating the intense heat and hazardous conditions as they searched for the trapped occupants,” he said. “It was during this perilous search that they discovered a tragic scene: a 31-year-old woman found lifeless in the bathtub, a victim of the devastating fire. After intense efforts, the courageous firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the flames, bringing the inferno under control.”

Stamps said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but added his thoughts are with the family of the victim.

“The Vicksburg Fire Department extends its heartfelt condolences to the family during this unimaginably difficult time,” he said.

Stamps said the State Fire Marshal’s Office was on scene both Monday night and throughout the day Tuesday investigating the fire. 

This is a developing story. More information will be released as it is made available.