Mexico Public Safety is releasing the likely cause of a deadly apartment fire.
Officers responded to the 200 block of East Jackson in reference to a fire on Monday, October 9, 2023.
This was the apartment building fire where 53-year-old Shelia D. Ball of Mexico died.
An investigation into the cause of the fire was conducted by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and Mexico Public Safety Department.
It was determined the fire started in the north portion of the apartment next to Ms.Ball’s.
This area was a bedroom and bathroom.
A resident of that apartment reported being in the bedroom with another person prior to leaving for about a half hour.
When the resident, returned, their apartment was on fire.
Careless disposal of smoking material cannot be ruled out as the cause of the fire according to Mexico Public Safety.