Woman who died in fire is identified

The woman who was killed in a Saturday evening fire near Fruitland has been identified as Sherma McCarty.

The 79-year-old was one of two occupants in a trailer home in the 100 block of Silktree Circle near Fruitland when the fire started about 6:30 p.m. The other occupant was able to get out safely.

Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said Sunday smoke inhalation likely caused McCarty's death.

The cause of the fire was not apparent after firefighters finished extinguishing it, and phone calls to the Jackson Fire Department were not returned Sunday. The fire destroyed the home and damaged a vehicle parked in the home's carport.

It took five area fire departments about two hours to extinguish the fire.