A woman died in an early morning house fire in Rockland County Wednesday.

Fire officials say a 64-year-old woman lived alone at 9 Wheeler Place in West Nyack.

They say flames broke out around 6 a.m., and when crews arrived, there was a lot of smoke coming out of the back part of the house.

Investigators tell News 12 that there were no working smoke detectors in the house, making this the second fatal fire in Rockland County this year without proper smoke detectors. They say the first was a few weeks ago in Nanuet.

"I firmly believe that both these individuals would be alive if they had working smoke detectors," says Chris Kear, director of fire and emergency services.

Kear urges people to check their smoke detectors and make sure they are working. He also says it's important to check on neighbors, especially if they are elderly.

The cause of the fire has not been released yet.