LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The Lynchburg Fire Department has released an update on a 92-year-old woman who was found deceased during a fire on Langhorne Road in September 2024.
According to an autopsy report released by the State Medical Examiner’s Office, it has been determined that found that “92-year-old Marilyn Gardner did ‘not’ die as a result of the fire.”
The findings state that Gardner died of natural causes before the fire started.
Around 1 p.m. on September 14, Lynchburg firefighters arrived at Gardner’s home on the 1500 block of Langhorne Road after reports of a fire. Crews immediately began searching the residence, according to LFD, while other firefighters put out the blaze.
Gardner was found deceased at the scene.
A firefighter suffered minor burns during the incident and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
After an investigation, it was determined the blaze was accidental and was likely caused by an electrical malfunction.
The Fire Marshal’s Office has closed its investigation into this matter.