ROCK VALLEY, IA (Northwestiowanow) – The body of a woman found in the basement of a Rock Valley home has been identified following fire investigation.

As previously reported, the Rock Valley Fire Department responded to a residential house fire that occurred in 2096 340th Street, seven miles southwest of Rock Valley. By the time crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames. The homeowner, Mike Smit, 67, was transported by ambulance to Hegg Health Center for treatment of fire-related injuries.

After the fire was extinguished, investigators launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze. During the search, a woman was found in the basement of the home. Pronounced deceased at the scene by the Sioux County Medical Examiner, the woman was identified as Shelly Smit, 61, of Rock Valley. She was residing at the home with Mike Smit at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the investigation is still ongoing. The Rock Valley Fire Chief is working with the Iowa State Fire Marshal to determine what sparked the blaze.