NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News Fire Department officials said a woman has died in a mobile home fire early Thursday morning.
The call came in around 3:59 a.m. to a fire in the 200 block of Troy Drive. That's at the Warwick Mobile Home Community off Hogan Drive.
According to fire officials, a tow truck was at the area early in the morning and saw the flames coming from the mobile home. He knocked on doors to get as many people out of harm's way.
Ziara Martinez and her family live right next door. They say they didn't know the woman well but did speak to her just the other day.
Family members were notified on the scene and received help from Newport News Police. Martinez and her mother comforted the family at the scene.
"It was really hard seeing the two females cry," said Martinez. "Because it was an older lady and I believe she couldn't walk, which is why I think it was hard for her to get out of the house. It was really hard to see. She was a nice lady."
Martinez says she feels grateful for the tow truck driver who saw the flames, called 9-1-1, and got others out of their homes.
"My house could've caught on fire, too," said Martinez. "We feel lucky to be alive."
Newport News Assistant Fire Chief, Robert Lee, says crews found the woman dead inside the mobile home but says no one else was hurt. They are speaking with family members to get more information.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.