Grandmother Critically Burned Saving Infant From House Fire in Pasadena
A 53-year-old grandmother was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after rescuing her four-month-old granddaughter from a burning house in Pasadena, authorities reported.
Bernice Blum was baby-sitting her four grandchildren when fire broke out in her daughter’s home on Painter Street late Sunday afternoon.
Pasadena Police Sgt. George Wiley said Blum herded the children outside, and then realized the littlest one was still inside.
She rushed back inside the burning structure, and when she emerged, both she and the infant were taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital. Blum, nursing supervisor Judy Pruitt said, suffered smoke inhalation as well as burns on her face and arms.
The baby, listed in fair condition, also suffered smoke inhalation, and burns to the face and left hand.
Four Pasadena fire companies took 15 minutes to put out the blaze. Officials estimated the damage at $100,000 to the structure, $20,000 to contents, and said the cause was under investigation.
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