Lecompton ? Mary Powell was noted around Lecompton for the berry pies she baked, and her quiet friendliness.

In fact, friends wonder if she may have been baking pies Monday night when a fire broke out in her home at 437 N. 1950 Road, about two miles southwest of Lecompton.

A body believed to be that of Powell, 79, was recovered Tuesday as firefighters searched the ruins of her house.

“She was always willing to help; she was always friendly,” Maxine Dark said Tuesday as she and other women set out pies for an auction at First United Methodist Church of Lecompton.

The fire was reported about 6:30 p.m. Monday, and firefighters from Lecompton, Kanwaka Township, Tecumseh and Topeka responded. They found the house engulfed in flames. Douglas County Sheriff’s officers also responded, and the Kansas Fire Marshal was called.

Powell lived alone, but family members told firefighters they thought she was in the house, Douglas County Sheriff Rick Trapp said. The fire is thought to have started in the kitchen, then spread through the rest of the house, Lecompton Fire Chief Leroy Boucher said Monday night.

Some firefighters and officers remained at the fire scene all night. They were continually putting out flare ups, Trapp said.

“There was so much heat and smoke they couldn’t make entry until this morning,” Trapp said Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators will work with the Douglas County coroner to positively identify the body, but it was thought to be Powell, Trapp said.

A fatal fire destroyed this house southwest of Lecompton Monday night. Investigators found a body Tuesday, believed to be that of the home's 79-year-old resident.

The cause of the fire had not been determined Tuesday.

“We have no reason to believe there was foul play,” Trapp said. “However, we don’t want to take any chances and want to conduct an appropriate cause-and-origin investigation.”

Powell, who once broke her leg, had difficulty moving around. That didn’t keep her from making blackberry, gooseberry and raspberry pies or being involved in various community activities, friends said.

“I hate it — you just wonder what happened,” Dark said.

¢ 6News video: Homeowner’s body believed found in ruins

Powell is survived by two sons, Gary and Kevin, and a daughter, Roxanne. Family members did not want to talk about the incident.

Family members stand behind a caution line at the site of a fatal house fire. The cause of Monday's fire hadn't been determined Tuesday.