RIDGWAY – An investigation revealed the fire, which claimed an 89-year-old Ridgway woman’s life two weeks ago, was accidental in nature. The fire was ignited by a lamp at 2:14 a.m. Saturday, June 23, the Ridgway-based state police reported.
Elizabeth H. Verbeck, 89, of Ridgway died in the fire. In addition, the fire caused an estimated $150,000 worth of damage to her 8 Center Street residence in Ridgway Borough, according to a prior GantDaily.com report.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, the Ridgway Borough police and fire departments investigated the origin and cause of the fire in conjunction with the Elk County Coroner’s and District Attorney’s offices, Nationwide Insurance, and Maltase Fire Investigation of Granville, WV. The fire damaged her two-story wooden frame residence.
The fire was ruled accidental in nature. A reading lamp was clipped to the headboard of a bed, but it became dislodged from the bed for unknown reasons. Evidence demonstrated that it was on at the time of the fire. A 60-watt incandescent light bulb came into contact with bedding, which ignited the fire.
Verbeck wasn’t able to escape and was discovered deceased at the scene by the Ridgway Fire Department.
