SANFORD — A 54-year-old woman died in a house fire in Sanford on Thursday.

The body of Maria Truman was found in the bathroom of the one-story, ranch home on Country Club Road. The body of her dog was found at her side, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Truman was home alone in the house, which is owned by her sister, Paula Truman, who was in Florida at the time.

The cause of death is believed to be smoke inhalation.

Authorities said it is unclear why Truman was in the bathroom.

Fire investigators were at the scene most of Thursday and plan to continue reviewing the scene today to determine the cause. Preliminary reports show that the fire started in the living room, but the cause is uncertain.

A passing motorist reported the fire shortly before 6 a.m., said Sanford Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Rowe.

When the first responders from the Fire Department arrived, there was “heavy fire involving the house,” said Rowe.

The fire was contained within 15 minutes of the Fire Department’s arrival, he said.

Three engines, a ladder truck, a squad truck and a rescue ambulance from Sanford responded to the fire, said Rowe. The fire departments of Wells, Lebanon and North Berwick also sent one tanker truck each to the scene. 

There was heavy smoke and fire damage throughout the house.

This was the state’s second fire death of 2010, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.