Deadly fire ruled an accident

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New details about a fire that claimed one life Friday evening in Wilmington. Investigators have ruled the fire at 805 Mercer Ave. to be accidental.

According to the Wilmington Fire Department, the fire was started by “careless smoking” which came in contact with pure oxygen, leading to a large explosion.

Investigators believe that the victim is 69 year old Luther Morris Weeks, although a positive identification will not be made until the autopsy is completed later this week.