Fire Claims Life of Fairhaven Woman

Fairhaven Fire officials are investigating the cause of a small blaze this morning in the town that took the life of an elderly woman.

The fire started just before 10:30am in an in-law apartment at 304 Mill road, where the only person home at the time was an 84-year-old woman.

Public Information Firefighter Wayne Oliveira says the fire began in the kitchen, and it appears the elderly woman tried to extinguish it herself.

The woman, identified as Barbara Wilbur, was found unresponsive at the scene and was transported to St. Luke's hospital where she later died. The fire also claimed the life of her pet cat.

Smoke accounts for most of the damage, which was estimated at $40,000. Officials are still investigating the fire.