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First Posted: 4/15/2014 WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A state police deputy fire marshal and city fire inspector are investigating the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a woman late Monday night.
Laurie Merritt, 51, died in the emergency room at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital at 12:22 a.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after city firefighters found her unconscious inside her burning house at 276 Wyoming St.
Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Makar said Merritt was found in the crawl space of the attic, where the fire is believed to have started.
Two neighbors said Merritt was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 13 years, noting her North End route included Wyoming Street.
Neighbors said Merritt was a quiet woman who would wave hello with a smile and took great care of her front and rear yards.
Merritt resided in the house with her daughter, the neighbors said.
Makar said only one person was home at the time of the blaze.
County Coroner Bill Lisman said an autopsy determined that Merritt died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Makar said firefighters responded to the single-story, ranch-style house at 11:28 p.m. Monday, and found fire and smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters found Merritt in the attic crawl space.
There was limited damage to the exterior of the house, which has been condemned by the city.
Makar said the fire was under control by midnight. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation by city fire inspector Capt. Alan Klapat and state police deputy fire marshal Trooper Ron Jarocha.

W-B house fire claims the life of woman, 51