UCSD Student Dies in Fire

A 23-year-old UC San Diego student was killed early Saturday by a fast-moving fire--caused by a lit cigarette--that engulfed the condominium where she was staying with two other women, authorities said.

The two other occupants, disoriented from inhaling the dense smoke, were pulled from the burning dwelling by two neighbors, who were identified as Eric Etebari and Curtis Higgs, according to firefighters.

“If they hadn’t saved the two ladies, they would have died too,” said Capt. Al McDonald, spokesman for the San Diego Fire Department.

The dead woman was identified as Christine Ann Ekroos. She was declared dead at 7:15 a.m. at the scene of the fire, an apartment building in the 6700 block of Alvarado Road, near the campus of San Diego State University. An autopsy will be performed.

The two rescued women were identified as Jennifer Moore and Valerie Strother, both 23.

The two women remained in fair condition at UC San Diego Medical Center, where they were expected to spend Saturday evening recuperating from smoke inhalation, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The fire was caused by a smoldering cigarette left near a living room couch, the fire spokesman said. There was no smoke alarm, the spokesman said, an omission that led directly to the death.

The third-floor dwelling was fully engulfed in flames when fire-fighters arrived shortly after 7 a.m., authorities said.

“There’s no doubt that the victim would be alive today if there was a smoke detector,” Capt. McDonald said.

State and city law require placing smoke detectors in all residences, the spokesman said.

“There are two messages here,” said McDonald. “If you do smoke, watch where your ashes fall. And the other is to make sure you have a smoke detector. It’s the cheapest form of life insurance for yourself and your loved ones.”

Damage was estimated at $140,000, fire authorities said.