Franklinton, La. -(WGNO)- According to the State Fire Marshal, unsafe smoking practices may have caused a fire that killed a woman and severely damaged a residence in Franklinton Tuesday morning.
Firefighters from Franklinton Fire Department responded to the residential structure fire at 1401 Green Street, shortly after 7:00 a.m.
When firefighters entered the home, they found the body of a woman in the master bedroom.
Preliminary indications are that the victim died as a result of smoke inhalation.
While a positive identification of the victim has not been made, investigators believe the body to be that of 47 year- old Livia Rodrigues, whose family members told investigators that Rodrigues was the sole occupant of the home.
Investigators believe that the fire started in the master bedroom where a significant amount of used smoking materials and residue were located next to a bed.