Sedalia woman dies in house fire

SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) -- A 91-year-old Sedalia woman died in a house fire, authorities said.

M. "Lucille" Shepard died of smoke inhalation at her home Wednesday evening, said Pettis County Coroner Robert "Skip" Smith.

Firefighters found Shepard in a utility room near a back door after the fire started in a living room between an end table and chair. Investigators haven't determined a cause of the fire.

Shepard's dog also died.

Shepard, who lived alone, had a fire in her home two months ago when she left the stove on, and curtains caught on fire, Smith said.