A person was found dead Friday in a house fire near Espola Road in Poway.
The unidentified person was found in a home "fully engulfed in flames" at 14840 Crocker Road at 2:30 a.m., according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department. During an attempt to contact any occupants of the home by breaking windows, one deputy noticed a body lying in a bedroom. The victim made no response to the deputies attempts to make contact, the department reported.
"Dialogue was attempted with the victim, but the deputy received no response," Sgt. Greg Hampton said in a release. "Seconds later, the victim's body was overcome by flames."
The Poway Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
News 8 has learned the identity of the woman but the Medical Examiner has not released name or the cause of death.
Word traveled fast and her friends say she was a well-known volunteer in Poway.
"She did countless hours of volunteer work for us and others. I don’t know how she ate and slept," say Mary Shepard.
She and the woman volunteered at the Poway Historical Society. The victim also volunteered for the Poway Valley Garden Club and CERT, Community Emergency Response Team.
"She was absolutely amazing. It has left a big hole," said Shepard.
Sheriff's Department bomb/arson detectives also responded to the scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire. No other information was released.