(Cleveland) - A house went up in flames early Thursday morning at East 99th and Nelson Avenue in Cleveland and the fire took the life of an elderly woman inside.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze, and are attempting to establish whether or not it had working smoke detectors.

Cleveland Fire Department spokesman Larry Gray says blaze started around 4:50am. The house is a total loss.

Gray reports that there were 4 occupants in the home when the fire started, including the elderly lady and her adult children.

Two people, and man and woman were taken to the hospital, one suffering burns, and the other smoke inhalation. The small 2-and-a-half story wood frame home was completely engulfed in flames were firefighters arrived.

Several neighbors including Cedric Darby say they heard a series of explosions and believe those were the oxygen tanks being used by the elderly lady. Investigators have not determined if the tanks started the blaze.

One neighbor says he tried to rescue the elderly victim from the home, and tells Newsradio WTAM 1100 that he was beaten back by intense flames.

Gray says firefighters had a difficult time getting inside because of barriers on the doors.

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