Investigators from the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office are working with arson investigators from the Virginia State Police to determine the circumstances around a residential fire early Tuesday morning that left a 44-year-old Hayes woman dead.

At approximately 5:55 a.m. Tuesday, Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office Communications received a call for a residential fire in the 3300 block of Maple Street. Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded along with deputies from the Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered an unresponsive victim inside the dwelling, according to a release from Capt. J.L. Sharp of the GCSO. The victim, identified as Christine Van Varick, was brought outside and pronounced deceased at the scene. The fire was put under control and law enforcement secured the scene.

Officers from GCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and VSP arson investigators are conducting source and cause investigation as well as a death investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk has been notified and will determine the cause and manner of death.

No further information was released at this time as this incident remains under active investigation, Sharp said.