Woman found dead inside central Fresno apartment

A 48-year-old woman was found dead in a central Fresno apartment around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the fire department.

A neighbor called 911 after hearing what sounded like a smoke detector going offfrom one of the units in the apartment building, which is near Peralta Way and Fresno Street, said Battalion Chief Lawrence French.

When firefighters arrived, there was “no indication of fire and smoke from the street,” said French. Firefighters found smoke coming from a rear ground-floor unit.

Once inside, firefighters discovered a bathroom full of smoke, French said.

“Crews were attempting to extinguish the fire when they found a 48-year-old female victim,” said French.

After firefighters got the woman outside the building, they discovered she had no pulse, French said. Although firefighters and paramedics performed CPR for approximately 20 minutes, the victim was declared deceased at the scene, French said.

An autopsy was to be performed Sunday to determine whether the victim died before or after the fire started. She was not yet identified pending notification of relatives.

“Damage to the structure is less than $10,000, which is a unique situation because the fire and smoke were contained to the small bathroom,” said French.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 5:56 PM with the headline "Woman found dead inside central Fresno apartment."