Police: Fatal North Vernon fire was accidental

By Mark Webber
First Posted: October 17, 2012 - 8:50 pm
Last Updated: October 17, 2012 - 8:50 pm

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NORTH VERNON

The cause of a Friday morning house fire that claimed the life of a social service professional and former Jennings County teacher was accidental, the North Vernon Police Department said Wednesday.

However, both North Vernon Det. Ivory Sandefur and an Indiana State Fire Marshal spokesman said the investigation into the blaze that killed Tijera Ann “T.J.” Waggoner, 59, might have to be closed without determining an exact cause.

“Many times in these cases, the fire is so devastating that we cannot conclusively determine an exact point of origin,” said fire marshal spokesperson John Erikson.

However, Sandefur expressed his satisfaction that the fire on Persimmon Drive was an accident.

Both family spokeswoman Mary Custer and the victim’s minister, the Rev. Bob Weeks, said they had been informed by local investigators the cause was likely an electrical short in the wiring under a hot tub located off the master bedroom.

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