Grandmother killed by Takoma Park fire

WASHINGTON – An early morning apartment fire killed a grandmother in Takoma Park, Md., Montgomery County fire officials say.

The fire occurred at about 2:15 a.m. in an apartment on Maple Avenue near Sherman Avenue.

Montgomery County Assistant Fire Chief Scott Graham says the fire was out when firefighters arrived, but they discovered a badly burned woman being comforted by her granddaughter.

The woman was 56 years old. She died after being taken to a burn center.

Graham says the fire — which burned mostly clothes and towels in the apartment — is under investigation. Investigators are looking at whether a cigarette caused clothes and towels to catch fire and ignite the victim’s clothing while she was in bed.

WTOP’s Kristi King and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Kristi and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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