Today at 2:27 a.m. the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department battled a house fire on West 8th Street.&nbsp;

The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department used an aerial truck to help fight the fire with Crawford Volunteer Fire Department.&nbsp;

The house was engulfed in flames and a total loss.&nbsp;

Heritage Apartments, north of the fire, was evacuated for protection of the residents.&nbsp;

Chadron resident Andrew Scherbarth escaped the fire. 58-year-old Nanci Hartman died at the scene.&nbsp;

"While the Chadron firefighters fought the blaze, the Nebraska Fire Marshal/Investigative team from North Platte was contacted to investigate the cause of the house fire," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

Haug said an autopsy has been ordered.&nbsp;

"The preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that Ms. Hartman died of soot and smoke inhalation as a result of an accidental house fire; likely the result of smoking," Haug added.&nbsp;

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle PostToday at 2:27 a.m. the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department battled a house fire on West 8th Street.&nbsp;The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department used an aerial truck to help fight the fire with Crawford Volunteer Fire Department.&nbsp;The house was engulfed in flames and a total loss.&nbsp;Heritage Apartments, north of the fire, was evacuated for protection of the residents.&nbsp;Chadron resident Andrew Scherbarth escaped the fire. 58-year-old Nanci Hartman died at the scene.&nbsp;"While the Chadron firefighters fought the blaze, the Nebraska Fire Marshal/Investigative team from North Platte was contacted to investigate the cause of the house fire," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;Haug said an autopsy has been ordered.&nbsp;"The preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that Ms. Hartman died of soot and smoke inhalation as a result of an accidental house fire; likely the result of smoking," Haug added.&nbsp;

1 dead after Chadron house fire