SAN JOSE -- A 66-year-old San Jose woman died from injuries she suffered when a fire ripped through her one-story home early Monday morning, destroying the home and taking the lives of at least 12 of her pets, officials said.

Carol Lynn Chapman died Monday, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner said.

The fire was reported by a passerby at 3:53 a.m. at 1417 Proud Drive in San Jose, according to San Jose fire Capt. Alberto Olmos.

Flames were seen lapping at the roof and pouring out of windows when firefighters arrived on scene, Olmos said.

Chapman was found unconscious in the house and firefighters administered CPR before she was taken to a nearby hospital, Olmos said.

Neighbors described the woman as an animal rescuer, he said.

Chapman's 12 cats were killed, Olmos said.

There was extensive smoke damage to the house and the fire caused the roof to cave in leaving the home uninhabitable.

The one-alarm fire was controlled by San Jose fire at 5:20 a.m., he said.