Woman dies in apartment fire in Pascagoula

A woman died Thursday night in an apartment fire that began in the kitchen of her home.

Pascagoula firefighters were called out to Compass Pointe Apartments about 7:45 p.m. Thursday night.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. said 36-year-old April Rayford was found in the apartment.

Deputy Fire Chief Tim Stone said the two-story apartment was on the second. Rayford was found at the top of the stairs of her apartment.

Firefighters had to battle the fire to get to Rayford, who died of apparent smoke inhalation.

Stone said normally the heat from the fire will cause the windows to break. These did not, making the scene even hotter than usual.