Christmas Tree Fire Claims Woman’s Life
A 69-year-old woman whose Christmas tree caught fire three weeks ago died Wednesday as a result of burns suffered in the blaze, coroner’s officials said.
Mona McKay died at 12:15 p.m. in the burn ward of UCI Medical Center in Orange, where she had been hospitalized since the Dec. 26 fire at her two-story duplex here, officials said.
McKay, a retired medical technician, suffered first- and second-degree burns over 15% of her body after trying to extinguish the blaze, which apparently was sparked by heat from decorative lights on her tinder-dry Christmas tree, fire officials said.
When she was unable to operate her fire extinguisher, she ran to the home of a neighbor, who called the Fire Department.
Neighbors restrained McKay from re-entering her home to rescue her dog and wrapped her in a blanket to keep her warm until paramedics arrived.
The fire caused about $120,000 in damage to the duplex on Foley Place, fire officials said.
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.
