Officials are blaming discarded smoking material as the cause of Sunday’s fatal house fire in Manchester.
Ocean County prosecutors say Katarina Seboova, 73, died in the house fire on Heron Street. She was an occupant of the residence. Manchester Township police say the fire originated in a garbage can at the corner of a patio. The cause of the fire was deemed to be accidental.
Seboova’s cause of death was asphyxia due to smoke inhalation and her death is ruled accidental, according to prosecutors.
The fire happened on Sunday at 6:50 p.m. Officials say three police officers were treated for smoke inhalation.
Prosecutors say first responders were able to rescue another woman from the fire. The woman was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River and is currently listed in critical but stable condition.