Woman dies after falling in fire pit outside home

WORCESTER, Mass. -- A woman who fell into a fire pit outside her Worcester home has died. Masslive.com reports 71-year-old Jacqueline Cardinal was found by her son-in-law in the pit Saturday night.

Worcester fire officials responded to the home and pronounced Cardinal dead at the scene from severe burns. Investigators said it appeared she fell and was unable to climb out, CBS Boston reports.

Cardinal had been alone when she fell in.

Fire officials say the state's medical examiner will determine the exact cause of Cardinal's death.

She was the mother of two and also raised four foster children with her late husband.