A tragic house fire in St. Catharines yesterday afternoon remains under investigation.

Flames engulfed the home on Davidson Street claiming the life of a woman inside and several of her dogs.

Fire officials say there were a lot of combustibles inside the home that made fighting the flames a challenge.

The NRP's forensic unit is investigating along with the Ontario fire marshal's office and members of the St. Catharines fire department.

No word on the identity of the victim believed to be an elderly woman.