Cape May man dies in house fire

Last Updated on Thursday, September 27, 2012 12:00 pm Written by Staff Reports Tuesday, September 25, 2012 05:00 pm

CAPE MAY – A fire claimed the life of a Cape May resident Tuesday.

Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Cape May Police Chief Diane Sorantino announced the results of the fatal fire investigation Tuesday afternoon. They said Erik Watson, of Cape May, was found deceased inside a residence at 1247 Washington Street.

The Cape May City Fire Department responded to the scene at 6:32 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25. Firefighters extinguished the house fire and began to clear the residence when they found Watson, according to a press release.

A joint investigation involving the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Arson Unit, Prosecutor's Office Crime Scene Unit, Cape May County Fire Marshalls Office and Cape May Police Department was conducted to identify the origin and cause of the fire. Officials said it was determined that the origin of the fire was an electric stove. The fire was ruled accidental.

An autopsy was conducted and the manner of Watson's death was determined to be accidental. The exact cause is pending future toxicology results, according to a press release.