The New York State Police are investigating a fire that killed a 72-year-old woman in the town of Enfield, just west of Ithaca.

The fire broke out at a home on North Applegate Road just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Firefighters and police were dispatched to the home after a neighbor called 911 but they did not know whether anyone was inside. When they arrived they could see heavy smoke and flames coming from the house.

A state trooper tried to check inside the home but was not able to do so safely. The body of Helen Freelove, 72, was later located inside the house.

Fire investigators have yet to determine what sparked the fire.