By: Yuritza Arroyo
Ocean County authorities announced that the victim who perished in the residential fire on Heron Street in Manchester Township on Sunday, March 19, has been identified as Katarina Seboova, 73, an occupant of the residence.
According to officials, on March 20, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a post-mortem examination of Ms. Seboova.
Officials say the examination concluded that Ms. Seboova’s cause of death was asphyxia due to smoke inhalation, and her manner of death is accidental.
On March 19, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department and Manchester Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Heron Street.
According to authorities, First Responders were able to rescue a female victim from the fire.
Authorities say the victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River and is currently in critical but stable condition.
During the primary search of the residence, Ms. Seboova’s body was discovered.
A thorough investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire originated in a garbage can at the northwest corner of a patio, and the cause of the fire was deemed to be accidental due to discarded smoking material.
