Authorities release name of Jackson woman killed in fire, cause of blaze

Authorities this morning released the name of a woman who was discovered dead from smoke inhalation Monday in Jackson.

The death of Iva L. Bangert, 82, of Jackson, is being attributed to careless smoking.

She died from "smoke inhalation and shock," according to Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton. "She was in her recliner and apparently had dropped a cigarette."

The lit cigarette started a small fire, but it burned itself out, according to Jackson Fire Chief Jason Mouser.

"The fire apparently burned itself out," Mouser said.

Bangert's body was found Monday afternoon in her Jackson Senior Garden Apartments, at 911 Kimbel Lane, after friends grew concerned and called the fire department.

"They didn't know there was a fire there. It could have been bad for the people in other areas of the apartment," he said. The apartment complex has four- and six-unit buildings.

Mouser said careless smoking and electrical problems are two of the most common causes of fire, but this is the first cigarette-fire-related death he's seen since joining Jackson's department nine years ago.

"We try to relay to people the importance of being careful when they're smoking. We've had a couple instances where it's been a mattress, [after] people go to lay down in bed," he said.

Improperly discarded cigarettes have caused several fires in garbage cans.

"They may tap 'em out on something solid and then discard it in the can but the ash is still hot," he said.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646