VALLEY CENTER, Kan. (AP) — An elderly south-central Kansas woman is dead after a fire broke out in her home.

The Wichita Eagle  reports the woman was alone when the blaze was reported shortly after 10 a.m. at her Valley Center home. Her husband saw smoke and flames coming from the house as he returned home and called 911.

Smoke alarms were sounding when firefighters arrived at the two-story, four-bedroom house. Police officers had to prevent the woman’s husband, who was treated at the scene, from going back inside the residence.

Neighbors say the woman used oxygen to help her breathing and required a wheelchair at least part of the time.

Valley Center Fire Chief Lonnie Tormey said Friday morning he had little information about the circumstances of the blaze.