A 90-year-old woman died in a house fire likely started by smoking materials early Monday morning, fire officials said.
First responders arrived at 72 Everett St. around 2:50 a.m. and encountered “heavy fire conditions” in the two-story home, according to the Middleborough Fire Department .
Three occupants of the home were able to exit the building before first responders arrived, but firefighters found an elderly woman on the first floor who had not been able to escape, according to the department.
The woman, identified Sept. 2 as Anne Tichelaar, was pronounced dead at the scene, the department said.
Local and state officials believe the fire was started with smoking materials.
Massachusetts State Police fire investigators determined the fire began accidentally with smoking materia