Woman Dies in Fire Caused by Yule Tree

A 19-year-old woman died early Sunday when an electrical short on the family Christmas tree started a fire that destroyed her condominium.

Anita Hampartsumian died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, deputy county coroner Brian Mitchell said. Firefighters found Hampartsumian on the floor of her second-story bedroom in the home she shared with her parents, and tried without success to revive her.

The condominium, in the 2900 block of South Greenville Street, was destroyed, with damage estimated at $140,000.

Two of the 25 firefighters that fought the blaze suffered minor injuries. Condo units on either side of the Hampartsumian unit were damaged slightly.

The fire began about 2 a.m. when an electrical wire on the tree, located on the first floor, apparently short-circuited, Santa Ana Fire Department Battalion Chief John Chambers said.

The tree, an artificial one, smoldered but did not burn, and authorities suspect the fire started when sparks from the short ignited gifts or the carpet underneath.

Chambers said Hampartsumian’s bedroom door was open when firefighters found her, and that she might have had a chance of surviving had she managed to close it.

Hampartsumian’s parents were away in Palm Springs.

“It’s a tragedy when this type of thing happens this time of year,” Chambers said.

Chambers recommended that people with Christmas trees in their homes water them daily and use only indoor lights.