LINDALE, Texas — Officials have released the cause of a fire that resulted in the deaths of two people in March.
According to the Smith County Fire Marshal's Office, crews were called to the 400 block of N. College St., just after 10:15 p.m. Sunday, March 17, on reports of a structure fire.
Officials say two women, identified as Ruby Martinez, 83, and her daughter, Gloria Clark, 67, died in the blaze. Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Curtis Wulf ordered autopsies on the victims.
According to Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue, "it was determined that Ms. Clark died from a natural event, causing an accidental fire, which resulted in the death of Ms. Martinez."
“The cause of the fire was accidental in nature. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," he said.