An elderly woman who died Monday, Sept. 1, in Middleboro's third fatal fire within two years, did not have working smoke alarms in her residence, officials said in a statement .

The fire that killed the victim, identified Tuesday as Anne Tichelaar, 90, of Middleboro, was likely caused by smoking materials, Middleboro Fire Chief Owen Thompson, Police Chief Robert Ferreira, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said in a joint statement.

The Middleboro Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at a two-story, multi-family home located at 72 Everett St. at around 2:52 a.m. Monday, Thompson said in a statement .

Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire with flames showing from multiple windows on the first floor.

Firefighters made

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