GROVE CITY — A 22-year-old woman may have been killed before her body was found in the rubble of her parents' home that was destroyed by fire Saturday morning, authorities said.

An autopsy Sunday found evidence of trauma on the burned body of Brandi Dunn. Police could not confirm where she lived and investigators declined this morning to disclose any other information about the woman's injuries.

"We're treating the case as a potential homicide investigation based on the all the surrounding information gathered so far," Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein said this morning.

State police, meanwhile, are investigating the fire as a suspected arson.

Fire broke out about 7:30 a.m. at the East Washington Boulevard home of Dunn's parents, John "Cork" Courtney and Debra Montgomery, and flames quickly spread through the ranch-style house.

"The house was just completely engulfed," said next-door neighbor Mary St. John this morning. "Flames were shooting out. The smoke was just horrendous."

She described the mood in the neighborhood as "extreme sadness."

Dunn and her husband, Scott, had been "house-sitting" at the home while her parents were on vacation in California, said Chief Jeff Badger of the Grove City Volunteer Fire Department.

Investigators would not say if they believe anyone else was in the house at the time of the fire.

Trooper Jon Bayer said this morning that the victim's husband called in the fire, although Bayer could not say where the husband was when the call was made.

"It was burning pretty good when the engine got there," Badger said. "There was very heavy smoke and we couldn't get inside."

A Mercer County Communication Center dispatcher advised firefighters that someone could be in the house.

About 15 minutes after arrival, several firefighters were able to get inside.

"The body was found inside the (front) door," Badger said. "They found it pretty quick."

Grove City police were called and later requested state police assistance in the investigation.

Criminal investigators and fire marshals gathered evidence over the weekend and were to return to the charred home today.

Dr. Eric Vey, a pathologist for the Erie County Coroner's Office, did the autopsy. He could not be reached for comment this morning.

"Based on his post-mortem observations, he shares certain impressions with the officers and then completes a summary report before making his final report," Epstein said. "We're waiting for (Vey's) summary report."

The preliminary report is to be done by Wednesday and could provide a formal cause and manner of Dunn's death.

"The investigation is ongoing and police are still processing the scene," Epstein noted.

Investigators are also looking into the cause of the fire, which apparently started in the center of the house.

About 50 firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in about 90 minutes. Assisting Grove City VFD were departments from Pine Township, Mercer East End, Springfield Township and Stoneboro.

Damage was estimated at $250,000, Badger said.

"No matter how this turns out, it is just a tragedy. My heart goes out to Cork and Debbie," St. John said.