Official: Fatal Ipswich Fire Caused By Smoking
IPSWICH (AP) - Authorities say a fire that killed a woman in Ipswich was sparked by smoking.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Ipswich Fire Chief Arthur Howe III say the woman's identity was being withheld pending official identification by the Medical Examiner's Office.
They say their joint investigation determined the most probable cause of the fire was improper use and disposal of smoking material at the Central Street home.
Coan says the fire sprinkler system in the home helped keep Friday morning's blaze under control until firefighters arrived, prevented anyone else from being hurt and kept property damage "to an absolute minimum."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
