Authorities say cigarettes caused fatal Seminole fire

SEMINOLE — A fatal condo fire that killed a mother and her daughter a week ago was caused by cigarettes, authorities said Wednesday.

The blaze at Unit 143 at the Twin Oaks condominiums, 11200 102nd Ave N, on Feb. 2 started in a bedroom, Pinellas sheriff's officials said.

It was the same room where firefighters found the body of Marlene Schaffran, 72, who was in a wheelchair.

Schaffran's mother, Alice Haker, 97, was found unconscious outside the home. She died later at a hospital.