March 7 fatal fire deemed accidental

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette Fire and Police Departments have released the findings from an investigation of a fire that left two dead.

The fire began shortly after midnight on March 7 at 1810 Morton Street in Lafayette.

The first firefighters on the scene reported heavy fire on the exterior front porch and the interior ground floor.

They began search and rescue operations immediately and discovered and removed two adults from the residence, 39-year-old Amy Ingram and 75-year-old John Reeves.

Unfortunately, both died as a result of the fire. Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office found that smoke inhalation was the cause of death for both victims.

The investigation of 1810 Morton Street by the fire and police departments revealed that the fire began on the exterior front porch, most likely due to a discarded cigarette in a five-gallon plastic bucket located immediately adjacent to combustible storage materials located on the porch.

The incident is being classified as an accidental fire.