Police identify victim in fatal Fayetteville house fire

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Police identified the woman who died in a Sept. 6 house fire in Fayetteville as 53-year-old Rachel Leal.

The fire happened around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 2500 block of McNeill Circle.

A team of forensic experts spent more than 15 hours trying to figure out what caused the fatal fire.

Leal was killed as well as 3 dogs. Her husband, 56-year-old Patrick Leal, was able to escape the fire.

Authorities said Patrick Leal wasn't able to reach his wife through the smoke.

When firefighters arrived, Patrick Leal was pacing in the front yard and yelling for help.

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