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Electric Blanket Sparked House Fire That Killed Walnut Creek Vet

WALNUT CREEK (CBS/AP) -- Contra Costa Fire District officials are blaming an electric blanket for starting a fire that killed an 85-year-old World War II veteran in his Walnut Creek home.

Authorities say Keith Brooks Sr. was found dead in a second-floor bedroom after firefighters entered the smoke-filled home around 2:30 p.m. Monday.

An autopsy has determined that Brooks died from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters also found a cat dead in the home.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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