Woman, 62, Dies in House Fire

Despite a rescue attempt by neighbors, a 62-year-old woman died Monday night in a house fire in mid-town Ventura, authorities said.

Barbara Seymour died in the blaze that destroyed her rented house in the 700 block of Sidonia Avenue, Battalion Chief Wayne Belitski of the Ventura Fire Department said. A firefighter was treated at the scene for minor burns, to his arm, he said.

The victim called 911 to report the fire at 6:48 p.m., Belitski said. Investigators believed the blaze began in the living room but were still trying to determine its cause, Belitski said.

Ray Moore and Cesar Tenorio, two of Seymour’s neighbors who had keys to the house, found her slumped behind the front door and carried her outside, Belitski said.

Seymour suffered third-degree burns over her entire body, Belitski said. She died a few hours later at Ventura County Medical Center, he said.

Four engines brought the quick-moving fire under control about 12 minutes after it was reported. The blaze caused $50,000 damage to the property and $20,000 damage to the contents of the house, Belitski said.

The Ventura County medical examiner’s office was investigating the cause of death.