Fire investigators said the June 11 Little Rock apartment building fire that displaced 200 residents, injured five and killed one was caused by someone smoking in bed.
Little Rock Fire Department spokesman Capt. Randy Hickmon said Vertis Brown, 72, was likely smoking in bed, which appeared to be thepoint of origin in the Plaza Towers blaze that ultimately claimed her life.
“The bed is where the fire started, and she’s been known to smoke in bed,” Hickmon said. “The bed and the related items around the bed are the most highly flammable materials, it didn’t take long [for the fire] to get going.”
Fire officials said the blazestarted about 8 p.m. and that the woman’s second-floor apartment was in flames by the time fire crews arrived.
The fire damaged adjoining apartments and caused substantial smoke damage throughout the lower floors.
Brown died on June 13 at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center after she was taken off a ventilator.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 12 on 06/22/2012