NATCHEZ — An Adams County woman died in a house fire early Tuesday morning less than a block from a fire station.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said he was called to the scene of a house fire about 2:30 a.m. at 21 Hunt Circle, where Katie Cage’s body was found inside her burning residence, just around the corner from Natchez Fire Department’s Station No. 3. Lee said the cause of death was consistent with smoke inhalation, but that an autopsy would confirm the official cause of death.

Lee said he did not yet know why Cage did not leave the residence when the fire began and that he had no indication she was injured prior to the fire.

“An autopsy will have to determine that,” he said.

Lee said Cage was found lying on the floor in her living room near the window of the residence.

The case has been turned over to the state fire marshal — whose office investigates fire fatalities.

“My heart just goes out to this family,” Lee said. “It’s a terrible tragedy.”
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