PLACENTIA : Fire Death Blamed on Smoking in Bed
An elderly woman who apparently was smoking in bed was killed in a fire in her apartment early Sunday, officials said.
The woman could not be immediately identified because her body was charred beyond recognition, county Fire Department Capt. Dan Young said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
“Based upon evidence found in the woman’s apartment, we’ve confirmed that the fire was caused by the woman smoking in bed,” Young said. “There’s no other possible cause, and the woman was a known smoker.”
The 12:43 a.m. blaze at an apartment complex at 601 Center St. was contained by three alert neighbors by the time firefighters arrived, Young 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.
