Woman Dies in House Fire in La Palma
An 81-year-old woman was killed Monday in a fire that investigators believe started accidentally in her kitchen, fire officials said.
Mildred Thompson, who lived alone with her pet poodle, was found dead in the kitchen when police arrived at her home in the 5100 block of Andrew Drive, said Maria Sabol, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Fire Authority.
A neighbor reported the fire shortly before 11:30 a.m. after spotting smoke coming from the victim’s home, Sabol said.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes, Sabol said. Thompson’s dog survived and was turned over to animal control, she said.
Officials said the fire was confined to the kitchen area, resulting in an estimated $1,000 in damages.
Fire officials were looking for the cause of the blaze and an autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.
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.
