A woman is dead following an early morning fire Thursday in Ross Township, Monroe County Coroner Tom Yanac Jr. said.

Yanac identified the victim as Joyce Halamar, 78.

Leon Clapper, fire chief, Blue Ridge Hook & Ladder Fire Company, said firefighters were dispatched at 3:58 a.m. to a fire at a single home along Rolling Hills Road, Saylorsburg.

“The house was halfway involved at the time we arrived,” Clapper said. “Part of the roof was collapsed, flames were coming out of the roof, and the addition part of the house was fully engulfed and three-quarters burned through by then.”

Police said that six people lived in the house.

Clapper said there were no other injuries.

He said it took firefighters about 30 minutes to knock the fire down.

Clapper said there was severe fire, water and smoke damage to the entire residence.

He said firefighters remained on scene for about four hours.

Clapper said the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal and Crime Unit arrived on scene Thursday morning.

This investigation is still active and is being conducted by the PSP Lehighton Criminal Investigation Unit along with the Troop N Fire Marshal Unit.

He said also assisting were the Jackson Township Fire Company, West End Fire Company, Polk Fire Company, Kunkletown Fire Company, and Plainfield Fire Company (Northampton County), along with Lehigh Valley West End Ambulances and the Monroe County Coroner’s office.

“It always is a tragedy when there is a death involved,” Clapper said. “With all the guys that were there, considering the circumstances of the fatality, everything went well, and a good job by all.”