Cause Of Fatal East Lyme Blaze Identified: Police

EAST LYME, CT — A fire that led to the deaths of two people last week was caused by an overheated electrical cord in the home's first-floor dining room, according to police. The fire was ruled accidental.

The East Lyme Fire Marshal’s Office along with the Connecticut State Police Fire And Explosion Unit determined the fire's cause.

A fire was reported at a Willow Lane home at around 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12. The three-alarm blaze caused two people to die due to smoke inhalation and burn injuries.

Otolegile Morulane, 46, and Merril Lozanov, 95, died in the fire.

The Flanders and Niantic fire departments both responded to the home when the fire reached a third alarm and a tanker task force was requested for water sources, Chief of Police Michael Finkelstein said.

When firefighters searched the home, they found two people inside. Lozanov was pronounced dead at the scene.

Morulane was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.