A 69-year-old woman suffered fatal burns in a late-night fire over the weekend in her Farmington house, authorities said Tuesday.
Karen J. Fortman was found dead in her two-story home shortly after 3:30 a.m. Sunday in the 5700 block of Upper 182nd Street, according to the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.
Fortman died from burns and smoke inhalation, the medical examiner's office ruled.
Fire Marshal John Powers said Fortman's husband, Kenneth, was awakened by a smoke alarm and forced from the home before he could save his wife.
Fire crews quickly knocked down the blaze and found the woman dead in her bed, which Powers described as the spot were the fire began.
Powers said there is nothing suspicious about how the fire started but a final determination has yet to be made.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
