Toddler Dies in Christmas Tree Fire
A 16-month-old Compton girl died in an apartment fire when one of her older sisters set fire to the family Christmas tree while playing with a cigarette lighter, authorities said Sunday.
The mother, Juton Allen, was sleeping in another room when the fire broke out about 5:30 p.m. Saturday in her apartment on East Alondra Boulevard, fire officials said. She gathered her youngest daughter, Stephanie Riggins, and two other daughters, ages 5 and 6, but then set Stephanie down so she could unlock the door. When she opened the door and turned to pick up Stephanie, she was unable to find her because of the thick smoke, authorities said.
The woman took her two other daughters to safety, but could not get back into the apartment because of the heat.
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