An 80-year-old woman died Tuesday afternoon in a . The blaze was reported about 2:30 p.m. at home on Sunnyside Avenue. The victim was identified Mary Cass. Her husband, Roy Cass, 80, was at home at the time of the fire. from the local fire department were trying to the exact cause of the fire. They said looked like the woman had fallen asleep on sofa with a cigarette in her hand.
The of the home was estimated at $700,000. The were married in 1945. Both of them had smokers throughout most of their lives.
Mr. Cass , “Six months ago, we decided to quit smoking, we wanted to live to be 100. So went to a smoking cessation clinic. The clinic ! We both managed to quit a month ago. least I thought we both did. I can't she was smoking behind my back.”
Mr. Cass sobbing after his remarks. He repeatedly cried out wife’s name. Authorities took him to a nursing where he could be kept under surveillance.
“We’ve too many instances of long-time married couples who, they discover their spouse is dead, commit suicide 48 hours,” said a nursing home spokesperson. “Mr. ’s behavior has been erratic, from talking nonstop to to staring vacantly. We are going to have watch him closely.”