Seneca – Fire Related Death

From Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis:

At approximately 7:00 pm Tuesday night, the Seneca Fire Department was dispatched to 108 Field Village Drive, Apartment C, in Seneca to a reported apartment fire.

This fire has resulted in the death of a 61-year-old Seneca woman, identified as Beckie Marie Smith.

The fire was reported by neighbors within the complex; a bystander entered the apartment to find the resident lying in her bed in the living room area; she was extricated from the apartment.

First arriving fire, police and EMS personnel found her in cardiac arrest; basic and advanced life support was provided, however she died at the scene at 7:40 pm.
The origin of the fire is being investigated by the Seneca Fire and Seneca Police Departments. This fire appears to be a smoking related incident in the presence of high concentration oxygen, resulting in a flash type fire. The deceased was oxygen dependent and utilized a home oxygen generator.

An autopsy will be performed on Wednesday to assist with the death investigation.