Trapped by Security Bars, Woman Dies in House Fire
A woman died Friday when she was trapped in her bedroom by a fire and neighbors were unable to pry security bars from the window to help her escape, authorities said.
The 37-year-old woman died in the only room in the house where the security bars did not have quick-release latches that allow a swift emergency exit, said Henry Rodriguez, county fire spokesman. The woman’s 17-year-old son escaped unharmed from the fire in the 2200 block of Klein Place, he said.
The 6 a.m. blaze was extinguished within 15 minutes and the woman’s body was discovered near the bedroom window, Rodriguez said.
“Neighbors had attempted to get her out by pulling the window bars apart,” he said.
Her identity was not released pending notification of relatives. Police and coroner’s officials were investigating the cause of death, and authorities were also looking into how the fire started. Damage was estimated at $190,000 to the house and property.
Firefighters said quick-escape latches are vital for security bars installed on residential windows. “Every room needs two exits,” Rodriguez said.
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