State Fire Marshal's Office Determines Cause of Fatal Fire in Newton

A fire that took the life of an elderly Newton woman last week was caused by smoking, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

"Sadly, this fire took the life of elderly woman who investigators believe was smoking on the porch," Newton Fire Chief Bruce Proia said in a statement.

The fire broke out on a porch at 30-32 Rowe St. in Auburndale Friday morning, April 26. The fire was largely confined to the porch, according to fire officials.

“This was a terrible weekend for fatal fires with one in Boston and Newton bringing the total fire and explosion deaths in 2013 to 22," Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said in a statement. “While smoking fires and related deaths are declining in Massachusetts, smoking caused 14 percent of home fire deaths in 2012.”

According to a press release from the State Fire Marshal's Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office will make the formal identification of the victim and determine the cause and manner of death.  

The fire was jointly investigated by Newton Fire and Police, State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the press release said.