Woman, 31, named as Morristown fire victim

MORRISTOWN –

County and town authorities have identified the victim of a Monday night house fire on Pine Street as Kelly Smith.

Smith, 31, was a resident of 15 Pine St., where firefighters were alerted to a fire at 11:29 p.m. Monday, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Responders discovered an active fire at the three-story, multiple-family dwelling that also housed a business — Morristown Computer Solutions — on the first floor. Smith "expired during the course of the fire," according to the statement.

No specific cause of death was released, but the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office determined the manner of death to be accidental.

The cause of the fire "at this time" does not appear to be suspicious in nature, according to the prosecutor's office, which does not anticipate any criminal charges being filed.

According to the statement, the investigation determined that the origin of the fire was from the lower level of the three-story residence, which included five apartments. There were approximately 11 people living at the residence at the time.

Emergency responders battled the fire into early Tuesday morning. The American Red Cross North Jersey said it assisted seven people displaced by the fire, providing clothing and food. Those people were all staying with friends and family.

The heaviest fire damage to the home, observed from the street, was on the raised, covered porch that wrapped from the front to the side of the home, located on the corner of Pine Street and King Place. Investigators seemed focused on King Place side of the windowless porch, measuring burn marks on the wall, taking photographs and examining burnt objects.

The entire porch and first floor sustained heavy fire damage. Tar from the porch roof had melted and dripped down the stucco-covered walls around the raised porch, and siding on the side of the house had melted.

Several windows in the house were broken, while the roof of the house had several charred holes.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.