Emergency personnel from across the Lehigh Valley responded Saturday to a house fire in Catasauqua that claimed a woman’s life.

The woman, currently identified as Jane Doe, was pronounced dead just after 4 p.m. by Lehigh County Deputy Coroner Gabrielle Alcaro, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.

The house fire, at 119 Union St., was first reported just after 5:30 a.m. The building was reportedly a total loss. Firefighters deemed the structure unstable early on and took action to keep other structures clear from debris.

It was reported the fire was exacerbated by an extreme hoarding situation inside the home. Furniture and books in the stairway caused trouble during the fire as firefighters at the scene said they had a difficult time trying to fight the fire in the narrowed halls. Debris throughout the house kept feeding the fire, making it harder for emergency personnel to extinguish the flames, it was reported.

Firefighters worked into the late morning.

Catasauqua Mayor Barbara Schlegel used emergency orders to have the building demolished. Dumpsters - a total of 16 - were used to reduce the rubble to a manageable pile.

According to Police Chief Douglas Kish, a woman was recovered but not identified. The coroner’s office reported additional information will be released upon her identification. An autopsy will be performed today to determine the cause and manner of death.

Early reports indicated there could be two victims, but only one fatality has been confirmed.

In addition to the coroner’s office, the death is being investigated by the Catasauqua fire and police departments.