Crime & Safety

Fatal Fire Was Set Accidentally, Police Say

Police say Alice Foster, 78, died of smoke inhalation during an apartment fire Friday afternoon.

The fire that took the life of 78-year-old Alice Foster in the Winbrook Housing Complex on South Lexington Ave. Friday was set accidentally, police said today.

Results from the Westchester Medical Examiner's office determined the woman died of smoke inhalation in her fourth floor apartment. Police say Foster had already died when they arrived at apartment 4F shortly after 12 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters received the call just before 12 p.m. and reported heavy smoke and fire upon arrival. It took only a few minutes to knock down the blaze, but investigators found Foster's body under a pile of belongings inside a bedroom.

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The fire was contained to Foster's apartment, but water damage extended to the third floor and there was smoke damage on the fifth floor.

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