wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Fire marshals: Fatal fire caused by space heater

Fire marshals: Fatal fire caused by space heater

Posted: Updated:

WOODFIELD, SC (WIS) - A space heater was found to be the cause of a fatal fire in Richland County, according to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department.

Fire marshals say the space heater was located too closely to an upholstered chair and ignited the combustible fibers of the chair.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts identified the victim as 67-year-old Cathleen Dowdeswell. She died at the scene on Morninglo Lane from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire.

Damages to the home were estimated at $26,000 and a majority of the damages were contained in one area of the home.

Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.