LA PALMA : Accident Injures Spectator at Fire

An elderly woman who was among a crowd of people gathered at the scene of a burning house was hospitalized Friday with a broken nose and an injured hip after she tripped over her dog, authorities said.

Gwyn Hoffman, 72, was taken by paramedics from the Orange County Fire Department to a local hospital where she was listed in fair condition.

Capt. Dan Young said Hoffman was among a crowd of people looking on as 30 firefighters battled to control a noon-hour blaze in the 7100 block of Caprice Circle.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the blaze and none of the firefighters was injured, officials said.

The house is owned by Weizhong Ding, who rented it to Hongfa Cheng and his family. Ding was out of the country.

Fire investigators estimated damage at $240,000. They believe it was started by a stove burner that was left on when the occupants left the house about 9 a.m.