Fatal Brick Township Fire Ruled Accidental

Investigators probing the weekend house fire that left a Brick Township 66-year-old dead determine that it was accidental in nature.

Grace Merkel's remains were found inside the one-story Dock Road home early Saturday after firefighters had doused the flames.

According to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Cornato, detectives found nothing suspicious in the cause or origin. An autopsy revealed burn injuries consistent with the fire.

The source was traced to electrical equipment in the master bedroom.