71-year-old woman killed in Silver Springs house fire

SILVER SPRINGS, Fla. — 

A 71-year-old woman died, along with a cat and a dog when fire broke out in a house in Silver Springs.

Marion County Fire Rescue said the fire happened at about 2 a.m. Thursday on 175th Terrace Road in Silver Springs.

Authorities said a man who also lived in the home managed to escape the early morning fire on Thursday.

Chris Bucher said that he was awakened by the smell of smoke. He said he tried to check on Paulette Martin, who was in a nearby bedroom but the fire and smoke were too much for him.

Bucher said he dove through a window and started screaming for help.

Marion County Fire Rescue spokesman James Lucas said firefighters found Martin's body during a search of the house.

"The state fire marshal and the Marion County Sheriff's Office will be working together in this case in order to determine the cause of death and the cause of the fire," said Lauren Lettelier of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation continues.