Authorities: Smoking Caused Tuesday's Deadly Waltham Fire

Photos: The scene on Albemarle Road in Waltham Tuesday morning. Credit: @BCicco85.

Improper disposal of smoking materials caused Tuesday’s deadly fire at 48 Albemarle Road in Waltham, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire started on or near the home’s living room couch, according to authorities.

Phillip Muskalski, 53, who lived alone in the home, died in the three-alarm fire, which started at about 9:20 a.m. Tuesday. He was known to be a heavy smoker, authorities said.

According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, in 2013, 22 percent of fire deaths in Massachusetts were caused by improper use or disposal of smoking materials.

Muskalski was the 55th fire death in Massachusetts in 2014 – there were 44 fire deaths in the state in 2013, authorities said.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Waltham Police and Fire Departments and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office investigated the fire.

1 Dead in Albemarle Road Fire