Firefighters work to extinguish flames at a fatal house fire in Washington early Friday morning. Photo by Sally Y. Hart – KCII News

One person died in a house fire in Washington Friday morning. According to the Washington County Communications Center, at 4:20 a.m. the center received multiple reports that the top level of the house at 609 East Washington Street was fully engulfed in flames with one person possibly inside. When KCII News arrived on scene at about 4:45 a.m. smoke was filling the area and flames could be seen coming from the attic space. Washington and Ainsworth Fire Departments extinguished the fire and Washington County Ambulance was also dispatched to the scene. One occupant was pronounced dead at the scene, the name is being withheld at this time.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and is currently under investigation. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted.

While crews worked, all four lanes of traffic were blocked from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue. Washington Police Department, Washington County Sheriff Department, and Alliant Energy assisted on scene. KCII News will bring you more information when it becomes official.