A New Jersey woman who was being evicted died in a fire at her home after she threatened to blow up the residence, police said.
The woman received an eviction notice at her home on Cedar Court in Roosevelt, about 20 miles from Trenton, but refused to leave, New Jersey State Police said.
Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, state police were called to the home on a report of smoke. Shortly after their arrival, the house caught fire.
The woman, who has not been identified, died, said Sgt. Philip Curry said. He said the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Curry said authorities believe there were animals killed in the fire, but they didn’t know how many. NBC New York reported that the woman was taking care of cats for other people. Neighbors said she may have had as many as 30 cats in her house.
The state animal control office did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.
Police said no one else was in the house with the woman at the time of the fire. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.