Oct. 21--ST. ANN --A man died today in a fire at his home that may have been caused by a dropped cigarette.
The victim, 54, was found on the floor of a bedroom, but the fire began in a chair in the living room where he often smoked, said battalion chief Tom Krietler of the Community Fire Protection District. Kreitler said the victim died of smoke inhalation.
His name was not released. Kreitler said the man's dog also died in the fire.
The fire heavily damaged the one-story frame home in the 3200 block of Krem Lane. The victim's wife was at work when the fire broke out shortly before 12:30 p.m. Kreitler said a passing motorist saw smoke and called 911.
He said units of the Pattonville and West Overland fire districts assisted in the one-alarm fire, which reached the kitchen and caused heavy smoke damage to the rest of the house. Community paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Kreitler said relatives told firefighters that the victim often smoked in the living room. He said the man may have been overcome by smoke while trying to find his dog in the bedroom.
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