St. Paul fire victim identified

A 67-year-old woman died last week in a fire at her St. Paul home.

The woman was identified Thursday as Sharon Heimel, authorities said.

Around 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, fire personnel were called to the 600 block of Nebraska Avenue E. on a report of a fire that was out and a person who was found dead inside the home. Firefighters arrived and found a fire that burned itself out and Heimel on the floor in a rear bedroom of the home with her dog.

Neighbors had went to check on Heimel when they had not seen her all day and noticed what appeared to be smoke on the windows of her house and an odor of smoke, fire officials said.

The source of the fire is believed to be several candles that were located in the living room on top of an entertainment system.

Burial services for Heimel are scheduled for Friday.