Woman Dies From Burns Suffered in House Fire

A 64-year-old Garden Grove woman died at UCI Medical Center early Saturday from severe burns she suffered during a fire that destroyed her Yockey Street home, authorities said.

Myrtle Jean Hill suffered third-degree burns over 90% of her body during the Friday night fire that engulfed her home in the 13000 block of Yockey Street, on the city’s southwest side, said Ted Just, Garden Grove Fire Department battalion chief. Her clothes were still on fire when she was discovered lying on her patio, Just said.

“We don’t know how she got out of her house to the patio area,” Just said. “She was in pretty bad shape. Her clothes were burned almost entirely off of her.”

The origin of the fire, which caused an estimated $100,000 damage and consumed about 80% of the 30-year-old, single-family dwelling, remains under investigation, Just said. It was reported about 9:50 p.m. and took 14 Garden Grove firefighters two hours to control, Just said.

Just said Friday’s brisk winds could have whipped up a smoldering fire somewhere in the house.

“She could have been smoking and fallen asleep, we just don’t know,” Just said. “The fire was made more intense by the wind.”

Hill was discovered by Westminster police officer Alphonso Valdez who, with the help of an unidentified, off-duty Westminster police officer, managed to pull her away from the burning home.

She was believed to be the lone occupant of the house, Just said.

Hill was taken to the burn center but was pronounced dead at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.