A fatal house fire in Ryegate earlier this month has been ruled accidental, according to Vermont State Police.
Investigators with the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit determined that the Dec. 18 fire at a residence on Whitelaw Road was non-suspicious, though the exact cause could not be definitively identified.

The fire was reported at about 5:15 p.m. at 1100 Whitelaw Rd., where 75-year-old Shirley Tracy lived alone. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to state police, the investigation found the most likely origin of the fire to be either discarded smoking materials or space heaters placed too close to combustible materials. While investigators were unable to pinpoint a single ignition source, no evidence of criminal activity was found.

The Ryegate Fire Department responded after neighbors reported the fire and later requested assistance from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit to determine the origin and cause. Troopers assigned to the case included Detective Sgt. Christopher Blais, Detective Sgt. David Hurwitch, Detective Sgt. James Wright, and Detective Sgt. Lyle Decker, working out of the St. Johnsbury Barracks.

The fire has been officially classified as undetermined in cause but accidental in nature. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-748-3111.