Woman Dies in Simi Valley House Blaze

A house fire that was probably ignited by a cigarette killed a woman who was trapped by flames and smoke inside a bathroom where she was showering, authorities said.

Clair Thompson, 57, apparently died of smoke inhalation in the 3 p.m. blaze at her house, said James Baroni, a senior deputy county coroner. An autopsy was scheduled today.

“I lost the best neighbor anybody could have ever had,” said William Ferrall, one of two neighbors who tried to reach Thompson.

“I tried my butt off to get her out of that fire and I couldn’t and it hurts,” Ferrall said. “I was pushed back by fire and smoke.”

The blaze started in a bedroom of the house in the 2300 block of Medina Avenue, said John Foy, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.

Flames gutted the bedroom and caused minor damage to a second bedroom. Foy estimated the property loss at $50,000.

Thompson was showering when the fire broke out, Foy said. Also home at the time were Tom and Lisa Richardson, a couple who have known the victim for many years and live with her, authorities said.

The Richardsons and two neighbors tried to rescue Thompson but were overcome by smoke.

They were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters chopped holes in the roof to ventilate the blaze, Foy said. By the time they reached Thompson, though, she was dead.

Two dozen firefighters battled the blaze, which was doused in just a few minutes, Foy said. Several investigators remained at the scene Saturday night.

Thompson, who neighbors said worked in the health care industry, had lived in the house for more than 20 years. She was an enthusiastic gardener, Ferrall said. She is survived by a son and a daughter who live in Los Angeles.

“Everybody in our neighborhood knows each other by first name,” Ferrall said. “This is a terrible loss.”