The State Fire Marshal's office has released the identity of a Columbia woman who died in a house fire Tuesday.

Officials identified the victim of the Oakland Mills village blaze as Hannah Lavi, 52. The fire destroyed her townhouse in the 9400 block of Kilimanjaro Road. A state medical examiner's autopsy determined that she died of burns and smoke inhalation.

Lavi lived alone. Officials had delayed releasing her name until they notified her family in Illinois and Israel. She was buried Sunday in Israel.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which is thought to have been accidental. Investigators think it started on the first floor of the two-story house, near the living room. Foul play has been ruled out.

Pub Date: 5/11/99