A family is mourning a woman who died Tuesday in a fire at her Fairfield home.

"She was red-headed, very cute with almond eyes," said the victim's son, Dave Gordon. "She was a wonderful mother, very caring and devoted."

Fire officials said 89-year-old Sarah Gordon was already dead when they arrived at her Lota Drive home, where she lived alone. They believe the elderly woman tried to extinguish the flames with water.

They victim was so badly burned that a medical examiner will confirm her identity.

Neighbor Dan Ranucci tried to save the woman. "I couldn't get in, I got half way into the family room," Ranucci said. "The smoke was so bad."

Firefighters remained at the scene to put out any smoldering spots. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.