Woman dead after discarded cigarette leads to fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — 59-year-old Judy Godwin Cothren died this morning when her house caught on fire.
Investigators say a cigarette started the fire.

The Wilmington Fire Department says a carbon monoxide detector went off early this morning at 124B Lullwater Drive. The people in that home called 911. Crews arrived, and when they could not find the source of CO in 124B, the checked the unit next door and saw light smoking coming from the eaves.

While knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell firefighters could hear an alarm sounding. They forced open the door and started searching. They quickly found the victim, who was overcome from the smoke and CO. They removed her and crews started life saving measures, but were not able to resuscitate her.