A 23-year-old woman died after a house fire in rural LaPorte County.

Deputies were dispatched at approximately 12:10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, to a residential fire in the 2700 block of West County Road 1650 South. According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, the first deputy on the scene encountered heavy smoke and was unable to safely enter the home.

Firefighters from several departments extinguished the blaze before locating 23-year-old Kathryn M. Zabel inside the residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate the fire. Authorities say the cause remains under investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement, LaPorte County EMS, the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office, and additional sheriff’s office personnel.