Fire truck at scene - file photo — Fire truck at scene - File Photo

Investigators say smoking caused fatal blaze on Route 9 in Ocean Township

Waretown, NJ – A 71-year-old woman was found dead inside a home following a structure fire in Waretown Thursday afternoon, with investigators later determining the blaze was accidental.

Emergency crews were dispatched around 3:00 p.m. to a residence along Route 9, where firefighters and police responded to reports of a structure fire. During a primary search of the home, responders located the victim inside a first-floor bedroom.

Fire origin traced to bedroom

Authorities said the victim was discovered in the northwest corner of the residence. “During a primary search of the structure, emergency personnel discovered a deceased 71-year-old female in a first-floor bedroom in the northwest corner of the structure,” officials stated.

Key Points

71-year-old woman found dead in Waretown house fire
Fire originated in first-floor bedroom of Route 9 residence
Investigators determined cause was accidental due to smoking

A multi-agency investigation followed, involving local, county, and state authorities. Officials said the fire originated inside the bedroom where the victim was found.

Smoking identified as cause

Investigators concluded the fire was accidental. “The fire originated on the floor of the first floor bedroom of the residence, and the cause of the fire was accidental due to smoking,” authorities said.

The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Officials acknowledged the coordinated effort among agencies in determining the cause of the fire.

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