HANOVER, Jamaica— Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire on Camp Road in Hopewell which claimed the life of an 81-year-old woman.

The deceased has been identified as Josephine McLaren, who would have celebrated her 82nd birthday on January 22.

Neighbours noticed her two-storey dwelling was on fire, and, while extinguishing the Saturday morning blaze, they stumbled upon the elderly woman’s burnt body on the lower floor.

The incident occurred about 11:30 am.

According to neighbours, it was strange that McLaren’s body was found on the ground floor. That section of the house was occupied by a tenant who was said to be at the market in Montego Bay when the tragedy occurred.

“We nuh know what a gwaan because the guy wasn’t home and she wouldn’t normally go into the guy place,” a lady said under the condition of anonymity.

A bed and other furniture were destroyed by the blaze, but residents’ swift action prevented the fire from spreading.

McLaren’s neighbours have been left stunned by her death.

“This strange man, this strange,” said one man who did not want to be identified by name.