WARETOWN — A 71-year-old woman was found dead following an apartment fire in Waretown, authorities said.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the blaze at the Lakeside Square Apartments on Route 9 at approximately 3 p.m. April 2, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Ocean Township Police Chief Michal Rogalski.
While searching the residence, responders located the woman inside a first-floor bedroom in the northwest section of the unit, officials said.
A joint investigation determined the fire started on the bedroom floor and was accidental, caused by smoking, authorities said.
Multiple agencies, including 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 New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, assisted in the investigation.
Officials credited the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved.
