A woman died Monday after an apartment fire in Takoma Park, Montgomery County fire and rescue officials said.
At about 2:15 a.m. Monday, Montgomery County firefighters were called to 7600 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park for the report of an apartment fire on the sixth floor. When firefighters arrived, they found Charlotte Wilson, 56, being assisted by her granddaughter, Assistant Chief Scott Graham said.
Wilson’s granddaughter was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm. Wilson was apparantely smoking in bed when the cigarette ended up on an area of clothes and towels that ignited, Graham said.
The victim was transported to Washington Hospital Center’s burn unit, where she later died from her injuries, Graham said.
The cigarette was considered fire safe — meaning that it would self-extinguish if not drawn upon frequently. However, Graham said, fire-safe cigarettes are not fireproof.
