HUNTINGTON BEACH : Woman, 42, Injured in Apartment Fire

A 42-year-old woman was in critical condition Friday after being rescued from her burning apartment, authorities said.

Myra Tobar was trapped by fire in her apartment in the 18700 block of Hoyt Circle shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday, Huntington Beach Fire Battalion Chief Tom Huntley said. A paramedic rushed into the apartment and pulled Tobar out as nearly three dozen firefighters battled the blaze.

Tobar was taken to Humana Hospital-Huntington Beach, where she was treated for smoke inhalation and then transferred to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

A fire captain suffered a second-degree burn while battling the blaze, Huntley said.

Tobar’s son, Robert, 13, who first noticed the fire in the dining room and called firefighters, apparently found his own way outside and was uninjured, Huntley said.

It took about 15 minutes for firefighters to put out the blaze, which authorities said was caused by a lighted object thrown away by Tobar or her son. Damage was estimated at $8,000, Huntley said.