Missouri Firefighters Pull Woman from Blaze

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. --

Firefighters rescued a woman Monday night from a house fire at East Fifth Street and North Geronimo Drive.

When fire crews arrived at the house, they saw people using a garden hose to try to knock out the flames. Witnesses said an elderly woman was inside the house and was in trouble.

Firefighters found the woman on a bed; she was not breathing.

The woman was taken to a local hospital. Her condition was not released.

Investigators said careless smoking may have started the fire.