NEWARK — A 59-year-old woman died today after a fast-moving fire broke out in a house in the city's North Ward, officials said.

Firefighters were called at about 6:45 p.m. to the 100-block of Bellair Place and upon arrival found flames coming out of windows, said Capt. John Brown, a fire department spokesman.

One person was able to get out of the house, he said, but there was a report of a woman who remained trapped inside. Firefighters were unable to rescue her.

"The guys made every effort to get in there and retrieve the lady," Brown said.

One firefighter was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center where was being treated for second-degree burns he suffered while trying to locate the woman, Brown said.

The victim was not immediately identified and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Brown said. The fire, he said, started on the second floor.

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