Darlene Bielby Givens, 50 and her dog dead Saturday morning appears to have started accidentally in the kitchen at 302 LaForte Ave., started around 6:11 a.m. Saturday, fire investigators said today.

Syracuse Fire Lt. Ken Heffernan said, “When firefighters arrived, they found 50-year-old Darlene Bielby Givens on a couch in her living room”.

The fire was in the kitchen, which is adjacent to the living room, Heffernan said. There was heat and smoke throughout the home, which was heavily damaged, he said.

Bielby Givens died shortly before noon Saturday at Upstate University Hospital while Bielby Givens’ dog, Cha Cha, died in the fire.

“The case is still under investigation,” Heffernan said, “but we are looking at a potential accidental ignition of the fire.”

An autopsy will be performed, likely within the next day, Heffernan said.