Father Dies in Vain Effort to Rescue Son From Fire
A 48-year-old man and his 13-year-old autistic son died Monday evening after fire swept through their South Los Angeles home, authorities said.
Jaime Rico and his son, Emilio Jesus Rico, were in the home in the 150 block of West 109th Place at 8:30 p.m. when the fire started in a rear bedroom. Cause of the fire was under investigation but homicide detectives said the boy, who was in the bedroom alone, may have accidentally touched it off.
Rico was apparently trying to rescue his son when he was killed, detectives said. The two were burned beyond recognition, authorities said.
A daughter, Griselda Rico, was also in the house at the time of the fire but escaped without injury.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
