OGDEN DUNES, Ind. (AP) _ Authorities say a 94-year-old northern Indiana woman died in a house fire despite a police officer's repeated attempts to rescue her.
Wanda Maxine Wunder was found in an upstairs bedroom following the 5 a.m. Thursday fire in Ogden Dunes about 10 miles east of Gary.
Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris tells The Times an autopsy showed Wunder died from smoke and soot inhalation and burns.
Wunder's 66-year-old son escaped from the burning home and a neighbor called 911.
A police officer tried repeatedly to enter the home to rescue Wunder, but heavy smoke drove him back.
Neighbor Judith Stiles says she and two friends had planned to take Wunder to lunch Thursday. She says they went out for lunch anyway as a salute to their friend.
