Victim identified in fatal house fire

The woman who died in a Fallon-area house fire Monday afternoon at 3270 Duane Drive has been identified as 41-year-old Connie Jean Winterton, according to a press release from the Churchill County Sheriff’s Department.

Winterton, along with her boyfriend and 6-year-old daughter, had been living in the Fallon area for the last several months and came from Southern Nevada.

The cause of death has been determined as asphyxia due to inhalation of products of combustion.

The fire began in a recliner chair that was most likely started by a burning or smoldering cigarette, according to the sheriff’s department. The victim had instructed her 6-year-old daughter to leave the house when the smoke detector activated. However, the victim remained in the house for unknown reasons.

The 6 year old was unharmed and ran to a neighbor’s house after leaving the residence.

There is no indication of foul play, and there is no indication of criminal activity regarding the fire and the related death, stated the sheriff's department.