Quadriplegic dies in fire blamed on his smoking

A Gloucester County quadraplegic who was unable to escape a fire in his bedroom died this morning from burns and smoke inhalation.

Officials said smoking appeared to be the cause of the fire that claimed the life of Joseph Rucci, 57.

Firefighters responded to Rucci's Deptford Township home about 6 last night after his stepson ran to a neighbors and called 911, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

The fire was confined to the bedroom, where Rucci was confined to his bed.

Officials said Rucci was a heavy smoker and investigators found cigarette butts and ash trays around the bed.

An ambulance rushed Rucci to Cooper University Hospital in Camden where efforts to save him proved unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 1:44 a.m.

A firefighter and two township police officers who responded to the fire were treated for smoke inhalation.

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