Investigators say a house fire earlier this week in Waltham, Massachusetts, that took the life of a 75-year-old woman and her adult son was likely the result of smoking, although the exact cause of the blaze cannot be pinpointed.
In a joint statement from the state Fire Marshal and Waltham's fire chief, investigators say they have ruled out arson, cooking, heating and electrical as possible causes.
However, 49-year-old Eric Miller was known to be a heavy smoker and the fire originated in his second-floor bedroom.
The Ash Street fire reported at about 3 a.m. Monday took the life of Miller and his mother, Elizabeth Miller.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says there have been nine fire deaths in Massachusetts this year.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
