By: Richard L. Smith
A 71-year-old woman was found dead following a house fire in Ocean Township, authorities said.
According to a statement released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, crews were dispatched around 3 p.m. on April 2 to a structure fire along Route 9 in the Waretown section of town.
During a primary search of the home, emergency responders discovered the woman inside a first-floor bedroom.
An investigation led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, along with multiple local and state agencies, determined the fire originated in the bedroom and was caused accidentally by smoking.
Officials have not released the identity of the victim as the investigation remains ongoing.