A 58-year-old woman died in the Phillipsburg blaze. Watch video
The fatal fire on Friday at 590 Congress St, in Phillipsburg was started by an electrical malfunction in the basement, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said late Thursday morning.
Town police on Wednesday said the fire was an accident.
Linda Pike, 58, died Dec. 9, 2016, in a fire at her Phillipsburg home. (Courtesy photo)Linda Pike, 58, died of smoke inhalation, the Morris County medical examiner determined. Her death, as well, was ruled an accident, Carlos Fonseca said.
Pike's body was found in the basement, authorities said.
The fire was reported at 4:19 a.m., but was roaring from windows throughout the wood-frame structure in the Valley View neighborhood as firefighters arrived. It took 45 minutes to get under control, fire Chief Rich Hay said.
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