89-year-old woman dies in Henrico after cigarette catches her on fire

An 89-year-old Henrico woman died after catching on fire while smoking a cigarette outside her apartment building at the Westminster Canterbury Richmond community on Westbrook Avenue just after noon March 19, according to Henrico Fire officials.

Henrico Fire and EMS personnel arrived at the community at 12:05 p.m. following reports of a structure fire but determined there had not been such a fire. Instead, they found the woman, who was alert but showed signs of extensive burn injuries.

Medics immediately began performing lifesaving care and quickly transported her to an area hospital, where she died from her injuries later that night.

The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the incident to be accidental and said that the woman somehow had caught on fire from the cigarette.

“This was an unfortunate and tragic incident,” Henrico Fire Marshal Scott Sutton said. “Our hearts go out to the family and to the loved ones who have been impacted.” 

It was the first reported fire-related death in Henrico in 2025.