A Bellingham resident died in a fireball that started when an open flame ignited an oxygen unit in the home, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department.
The deceased resident was discovered by a person who is known to them and who hadn't heard from them in a few days. The deceased was found on Sunday in their home, and based on when they last heard from them, as well as when neighbors reported seeing smoke, it is believed the deadly incident occurred sometime Friday.
It is likely the victim did not die from burns, but from smoke inhalation, Dustin Michaelis with The Bellingham Fire Department told The Bellingham Herald.
Police say the fire did not catch the structure on fire, and while there was no apparent damage to the exterior of the building, the interior was very obviously burned.
The identity of the victim has not been revealed by investigators, other than that she was an adult female, and nobody else was injured in the fire. It is also unclear what open flame started the fire.
