BLADENBORO, N.C. -- One woman is dead after a house fire in Bladenboro on Wednesday night.

According to officials, 82-year-old Joyce Beard Dowless was found dead in her home following the fire located at 8511 NC Highway 41.

Someone passing by the house on Wednesday evening saw flames coming out of the home's bedroom window around 11:45 p.m. and asked a neighbor to call 911. When authorities arrived, they extinguished the flames and found Dowless deceased. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.