"It's been hard," neighbor Susie Laidlaw said.
Briggaman's brother says she loved animals and fostered them. He also said she cared for their late parents as they dealt with Parkinson's and dementia. He said he is proud to be her brother.
Officials said an autopsy is underway. Investigators believe the victim lived in the home, and no other injuries were reported.
Three pets were also inside but survived.
Neighbors said Briggaman spent years helping others, including volunteering with the Inter-Faith Council for Social
Service, an organization that supports people experiencing homelessness in the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area. ABC11 has reached out to the group to learn more about her work there.
"Very generous, very community oriented," Laidlaw said. "Not just with her time, but also just getting people connected to each other. She was very engaging and very big hearted."
The heavy smoke Monday morning also prompted neighbors to reflect on fire safety.
"I think it's really hitting home for all of us," Dr. Emily Greenwald said. "Reminding everyone to take those safety steps, go check your own smoke detectors today, talk to your family about what they should do if they smell smoke."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities said the case is still active.
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