Smoking suspected in fatal Dexter fire

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter woman has died in a house fire that investigators believe was caused by smoking.

The Daily Statesman reported firefighters found the body of 78-year-old Reta Sue Vanmatre in her home shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday. No one else was in the house at the time.

Dexter fire chief Don Seymore said a cigarette apparently started the fire. Vanmatre is believed to have died of smoke inhalation.

Seymore said the fire department was alerted by a bracelet whose user can hit a button to summon emergency help.

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Information from: Dexter Daily Statesman, http://www.dailystatesman.com