Toddler Killed, Woman Hurt in Tree Fire Set by 5-Year-Old
A 2-year-old girl was killed and a woman was seriously burned Wednesday after a 5-year-old child accidentally set a Christmas tree ablaze in their West Covina home, police said.
The 5-year-old, who may have been related to the two victims, lit a piece of paper on the stove, and ran through the house past the Christmas tree, setting it on fire, said West Covina Police Officer Rudy Lopez.
Six children and two adults were in the house at the time of the fire, police said. Neighbor Barbara Shannon said residents of the house “came running out of there. Everybody thought somebody else had the baby.”
The victims were taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina. Five of the children and a woman were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries, Lopez said.
The woman suffered second- and third-degree burns and was in critical condition late Wednesday.
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.
