Fatal Manchester House Fire Ruled Accidental

MANCHESTER, NJ — A fire that killed a Manchester woman and left a second woman in critical condition has been ruled an accident, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

The fire that was reported about 6:50 p.m. was found to have started in a garbage can on the patio of the Heron Street home in Cedar Glen West, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Investigators determined discarded smoking material caused the blaze, he said.

The identity of the woman who died has not been released. The prosecutor's office said an autopsy was needed to determine her identity.

A second woman who was at the home was hospitalized in critical condition, and her identity has been withheld by authorities as well. Read more: 1 Dead, 1 'Critical' In House Fire In Manchester's Cedar Glen West

Billhimer said the fire was investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.