A woman is dead following an early morning apartment fire on Keevil Crescent.

Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services says crews were called to the scene at 1:30 this morning with reports of bells ringing and the smell of smoke coming from the building.

Crews were lead to the second floor where black smoke poured from the edges of the apartment door and into the hallway.  Once inside the suite, they discovered the 70 year old victim and removed her from the building.  She was pronounced deceased a short time later. 

Neighbours who knew the victim are shook up over the tragedy.

 "When I first moved in here she had a trolley and she told me I could use it whenever I wanted. She was really sweet." said Anne Marks, a tennant who lived in the same apartment building. 

Those who knew the victim say the incident is even more tragic because it happened so close to Christmas.

It took nearly 24 minutes for crews to get the blaze under control.  Fire Investigators have not released what caused the fire, but only comfirm it was accidental.

Damage is estimated at 500,000 dollars.