OCEANSIDE, Ore. - Police and arson investigators are searching for clues after a woman's body was discovered inside a home that caught fire on Thursday.

The question facing them is whether the woman, Julie Herman, was the victim of an accident or murder.

Herman was well known in the small town of Oceanside. She was known for volunteering, tutoring kids and spreading laughter to her friends.

Flames erupted from the first floor of Herman's home Thursday afternoon and firefighters later found her body inside.

"We have not determined the cause or manner of death at this time," said Tillamook County Sheriff Todd Anderson. "The fire is suspicious and we are looking at all aspects at this point."

Neighbor Rick Brounstein said a number of people saw an unfamiliar car outside Herman's home.

"I pulled up before the fire started and did notice somebody pulling out into the street," he said. "Now whether they were involved, we don't know."

"She was talking to her daughter about 1:30 p.m. and then there was a knock at the door and that's all we know," said neighbor Pat Gray.

Anderson said Oceanside has had trouble with a string of home burglaries and they are investigating to see if there is a connection.

"We had some burglaries in the fall and are still investigating those crimes," he said. "We're looking to see if there is any connection between those crimes and this one."

Anderson is calling this a definite homicide investigation and said several people are being questioned.

An autopsy on Herman's body is scheduled to be done on Saturday.