One woman died, and one firefighter was injured in a fire at an elderly housing complex in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The victim who died in an elderly housing complex in Westfield was a woman in her seventies, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Fire Marshall's spokeswoman Jennifer Meith could only confirm that the victim was a woman, but the cause of her death has not been determined.

The State Fire Marshal, Westfield Police and the Westfield Fire Inspector are investigating how the fire started at  the General Shepard Apartments in Westfield Monday afternoon.

Deputy Westfield Fire Chief Mark Devine told 22News that one firefighters suffered unspecified injuries and was brought to Noble Hospital.  That firefighter has been released from the hospital.

Deputy Chief Devine told 22News, "the fire started in an apartment on the first floor, which is above the ground level."

Firefighters ordered everyone out of the six-story building.  Some 75 people took temporary shelter in the senior center which is located on the grounds of the General Shepard Apartments.  Deputy Chief Devine said all of the residents of the upper floors have been allowed to return to their apartments.

One first floor unit where the fire started sustained "severe fire damage," said Devine.  There was significant smoke damage to six other units on the first floor.  Those seven units remained empty Monday night, according to Deputy Chief Devine.

Fire Marshal's Office Public Information Officer Jennifer Meith told 22News that investigators are awaiting autopsy results on the victim's body to determine how she died.  Fire investigators still haven't confirmed the cause of the fire.

Firefighters from Southwick and Agawam assisted the Westfield Fire Department.