74-year-old woman, animals found dead in Lebanon apartment fire

PERSON, pets found dead in Lebanon apartment fire — LEBANON — A 74-year-old woman and several animals were found dead an apartment that went ablaze late Monday in the city's southern end.

Lebanon police on Tuesday said the woman was identified as Susan Hayes, of Lebanon.

In a statement, the Boone County Coroner's Office said Hayes' cause of death was a medical emergency she suffered before the fire, and that the fire did not contribute to her death.

The fire happened about 7:17 p.m. Monday at Canterbury House Apartments, in the 1800 block of Sprucewood Drive, according to a news release from the Lebanon Fire Department.

Crews were originally dispatched for a reported cardiac arrest but discovered when they arrived that smoke was coming from a building.

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The call was then upgraded to a structure fire and additional units were called.

Once inside, crews realized there had been a fire but it was already out. Hayes and several cats and a dog were found inside, but they did not survive.

The Coroner's Office said the fire was caused by smoking materials, and no foul play is suspected.

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"As of today, the medical investigation into the death continues and is pending further testing," a Tuesday statement from the Coroner's Office states. "This is still an open and ongoing investigation."

Lebanon fire crews were assisted by Lebanon police, Boone County EMS, Whitestown Fire Department and Salvation Army of Boone County.