Victim in fatal Lakeland fire identified

Nicole Ritzer's body was found by firefighters early Saturday.

May 5, 2014 at 4:41PM

The victim of a fatal weekend fire in Lakeland has been identified as 50-year-old Nicole A. Ritzer.

Investigators have yet to determine what caused her death or what sparked the blaze that started just before 2 a.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of Rivercrest Road N., said Cmdr. Brian Mueller of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Washington County investigators and the state fire marshal do not suspect foul play, Mueller added.

Ritzer's body was found as the fire was being extinguished by responding crews from several area fire departments. The body was taken to the Ramsey County medical examiners office, which will determine the cause of death.

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