Authorities say a fire that killed three residents of a Wisconsin group home was likely accidental and caused by smoking materials that were improperly discarded.
The Fond du Lac Fire Department released the preliminary findings of its fire investigation on Tuesday. Three people died in last Thursday's fire at a home for intellectually disabled people in the eastern Wisconsin city of Fond du Lac.
Two other residents escaped from the burning home. Officials have said the home is for adults who can care for themselves, but have cognitive disabilities.
Fond du Lac Division Chief of Fire, Troy Haase, says it was one careless act that led to the deadly blaze.
"We assume that a cigarette was put in a container that was combustible, missed the container or possibly on the chair, and that's what ignited," Haase said.
The cigarette reportedly belonged to one of the victims who died in the fire. Once it started, the fire spread quickly, including to the attic of the group home for those with disabilities.