BREAKING: Crews remove body from Mexico home after morning fire

UPDATE (5 a.m.): Firefighters told ABC 17 News that one woman died after her home caught fire late Monday night.

Brice Mesko, assistant chief of the Mexico Public Safety Department, said a neighbor called 911 around 11 p.m. and reported that flames were coming from the back of the home on Elm Tree Drive.

Mesko said when firefighters arrived, flames were showing from the back of the house and the garage. He said the flames were so intense that firefighters tried to get inside to save the resident, but couldn’t. Firefighters had to extinguish the fire from the outside before trying to go inside.

Mesko said the woman was the only person inside the home at the time of the fire. He said next of kin was notified, but they are waiting to release the name of the resident.

Firefighters will be working with the state fire marshal’s office to investigate the cause of the fire, Mesko said. He said at this time, it’s too early and dark to determine the cause.

Mesko said the home is destroyed. He said firefighters have to work carefully while they investigate because the structure is unstable.

UPDATE (2:45 a.m.): ABC 17 News crews witnessed officials removing a body from the home on Elm Tree Drive. Fire officials have not confirmed any fatalities at this time.

Original Story: Firefighters are currently on the scene of a structure fire on Elm Tree Drive in Mexico, Mo.

ABC 17 News crews arrived on the scene at 1:45 Tuesday morning. At the time, the house was still burning and appeared to been heavily damaged.

This is a developing story. Stay with ABC 17 News as we continue to bring you the latest information.