Careless smoking caused deadly Toms River apartment fire, prosecutor says
Firefighters saw smoke coming from a second-story apartment.
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A woman was killed late Friday night in an accidental apartment fire caused by careless smoking.
Emergency crews responded to the Highland Plaza Apartments on Highland Parkway around 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 23 following reports of a structure fire.
When they arrived at the scene, Toms River police and firefighters saw smoke coming from a second-story apartment.
During a primary search of the residence, firefighters found a woman dead on the living room floor. Authorities have not yet released her identity.
A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Toms River police, and county fire officials determined that the fire originated on a couch along the east wall of the living room.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental and caused by careless smoking.
