House fire kills Richland Parish woman

State fire marshal investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the cause of a residential structure fire that claimed the life of an elderly woman Friday in Rayville.

Investigators were summoned to 2057 Louisiana 183 after firefighters responded to the home where the body of 73 year-old Ossie Bryant was located in the living room of the wood-framed structure. The bodies of three family pets also were found within the burned out residence.

Interviews revealed that the victim’s mobility was greatly diminished and that she had mostly been confined to a wheelchair.

After being examined by investigators, the victim’s body was released to the Richland Parish coroner for autopsy.

While an official cause of the fire has not been determined, investigators have established that the fire originated from within a bedroom before spreading throughout the home.

The investigation into the cause of this fire continues.