Elderly woman found dead in partial home collapse in West Mount Airy: officials

WEST MOUNT AIRY, Pa. - Firefighters say an elderly woman was found dead in a partially collapsed home Monday afternoon in West Mount Airy. 

Fire crews responded to the home after a neighbor noticed a back part of the house had caved in. 

What we know:

First responders were called to a home on the 7100 block of Mount Airy Place around 12:30 p.m. for reports of a house collapse. 

Chief Charles Walker told FOX 29 News a neighbor called for a wellness check after they noticed a back part of the house was caved in.

More than 40 PFD members arrived at the scene for the search and rescue operation. 

Investigators say a portion of the first floor caved into the basement, and firefighters needed to work through piles of debris to get into the home.

Chief Walker said the woman's body was later found by firefighters. It's unknown if she was on the first floor or in the basement during the collapse.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not identified the woman who was found dead. 

PFD officials do not know when the collapse occurred nor what caused it.

What's next:

The woman's cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.