An 81-year-old woman died in a fire that broke out in her apartment in Târgu Mureș

An 81-year-old woman from Târgu Mureș was found dead in her apartment engulfed in flames after a fire broke out, most likely during the night. The firefighters’ initial findings indicate that a short circuit in an electric blanket used for heating may have caused the fire.

The fire was discovered in the morning after residents of the building noticed a strong smell of smoke. They alerted the building’s stairwell manager, who called 112. Firefighters located the apartment on the third floor, but no one answered the door. After entering the home, rescuers found the victim dead in bed.

The fire is believed to have smoldered, while dense smoke may have prevented the woman from escaping. Neighbors said she lived alone and was ill. The fire did not spread to other apartments, and no other residents were injured; evacuating the building was not necessary.

The woman’s body was transported to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Târgu Mureș. Police have opened a criminal case for involuntary manslaughter and are continuing the investigation to establish the exact cause of death.