A lit cigarette fueled by an oxygen tank was the cause of an early morning fire Tuesday that killed an elderly woman in her home at 81 Evergreen Drive in Gorham.

Elinor Downes, 78, died after the cigarette she was smoking ignited her clothing, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Downes was tethered to an oxygen tank, according to Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, which intensified the fire. Downes lived alone, McCausland said.

Firefighters, who arrived at the scene around 7 a.m., had the fire mostly extinguished in less than 10 minutes, said Fire Chief Bob LeFebvre. Downes lived in a manufactured home in Friendly Village, at the corner of Evergreen and Ash drives. The fire involved the living room and extended into a hallway and one other room, said LeFebvre.

John Richard, property manager for Friendly Village, said Tuesday Downes had been a resident for 12 years. He said she had been sick, and had gone to the hospital Monday morning, but returned in the afternoon.

He said Downes’ “love was her dog,” a German shepherd. The whereabouts of the dog remained unclear Tuesday afternoon.

Woman dies in Gorham fireWoman dies in Gorham fire