Blind Sepulveda Woman Dies in Fire

A blind Sepulveda woman died early Wednesday morning as she attempted to flee from a fire in a bedroom of her apartment, authorities said.

Barbara Murray, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 15100 block of Parthenia Street after being pulled from her apartment by two security guards at the complex, Los Angeles police said.

Police said the woman, who was a heavy smoker, suffered some burns but appeared to have been overcome by smoke while trying to crawl out of the apartment.

The fire was contained in her apartment and was extinguished in 18 minutes, fire officials said.

The cause of the blaze, which caused an estimated $15,000 damage, is under investigation, but smoking may have ignited it, authorities said. One bedroom was heavily damaged and a portion of the living room ceiling had burned.

“It looks like the fire started in one of the bedrooms. There was a lot of heat coming out of the room,” said Los Angeles Police Detective Michael Brandt. “Part of a wall was burned and acoustic ceiling had fallen.”

Smoke detectors were operating in the building and alerted other residents, officials said.