VENICE, Fla. - A Venice woman died in a house fire, the city's first fire fatality in about 15 years.

The fire happened Saturday in the Gulf coast community. Neighbors were trying to put out flames with a garden hose when firefighters arrived.

After battling extreme heat and smoke that stopped police officers from entering the house earlier, firefighters found 53-year-old Elizabeth Wojtzak dead in the kitchen area.

Venice police and the state fire marshal are investigating.
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Information from: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, http://www.herald-trib.com

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