CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A discarded cigarette caused a house fire that killed three people in Charlotte, investigators said.
Fire officials also said Monday it appeared the victims were trying to escape when they were overcome by smoke.
Charlotte firefighters found Kelly Eaves, 37, in a different bedroom from the one where the fire started. His 68-year-old father, John Eaves, was found in the living room. And his mother, Peggy Eaves, also 68, was found lying in a hallway and adjacent bathroom.
Firefighters arrived at the house within four minutes of receiving the 911 call at 3:43 a.m. Sunday. Flames were already shooting from front windows and smoke had filled the one-story house, Chief Fire Investigator David Lowery said.
The victims appeared to have died of smoke inhalation, authorities said. They're awaiting autopsy results to confirm the causes of death.
The fire was the deadliest in the city since March 1995 when four people, including three boys, died from injuries sustained in a fire.
A child set that fire, using matches or a lighter to ignite a basement sofa, officials said.
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