A state agency has joined the investigation of a fatal fire in Washington, Indiana. WNIN’s John Gibson reports:
The State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting in the probe of last Friday’s blaze in a former tavern in Washington known as The Hideaway.
The tavern was recently converted to an apartment building.
Authorities say two adults and a young child were able to escape apartments on the second floor after being alerted by smoke alarms and the smell of smoke.
But firefighters found a female victim in a main-level apartment and took her to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The victim was identified as 45-year-old Brandee Mumma. The preliminary cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation.
The fire originated on the main level of the building.
Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the Indiana Arson Hotline at 800-382-4628.
Callers are not required to provide their name.