BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — A woman pulled from a burning house has passed away in the hospital, according to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.
Police say they were called just before 2:00 on Monday to LaSalle Street to combat a house fire. When they got there, they saw a one-story house with thick smoke showing from the eaves.
As authorities sized up the scene, the incident commander spotted a man, attempting to get into the house through the back and saying his wife was still inside.
Police began searching aggressively for the woman, while also battling the blaze.
They found the woman quickly and rescued her from the burning house. Immediately, they began life-saving measures.
Once the ambulance arrived, medics took over the life-saving efforts. The woman regained a pulse, police confirm, and she was swiftly taken to the nearest hospital.
Later, the woman was airlifted to Kalamazoo for further treatment. She passed away there.
Police also say the woman was one day shy of her 67th birthday. Her name is not being released, at the request of family.
Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety sends their prayers to the family at this difficult time.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and will be the subject of an investigation by the State of Michigan Fire Marshall.
