The Houston Fire Department was called to 6200 W. Tidwell Rd. near Lumberdale Rd. around 3:45 a.m.
Firefighters said they found the woman's body. According to a neighbor, the victim may have fallen asleep while smoking.
Another neighbor, Quianna Jackson, said she was in shock because she had just talked to the woman hours earlier.
Jackson said that the woman would clean apartments when residents would move out.
The victim also had two dogs, who made it out safely.
No firefighters were hurt.