Woman Found in House Fire Dies, Multiple Pets Perish

Sylmar, Los Angeles, CA: A 75-year-old woman found in a burning house died after attempted lifesaving measures by firefighters late Monday night in the Sylmar neighborhood within the city of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the reported fire around 10:45 p.m., Mar. 20, on the 14300 block of West Tyler Street.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a one-story, single-family home with fire showing. They immediately went inside to attack the flames.

While gaining entry into the building, firefighters found a 75-year-old female, pulled her out and began CPR, according to David Ortiz, Public Information Officer with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, interviewed at the scene by Key News Network.

While in the process of CPR, additional resources arrived and continued the firefight, according to Ortiz.

A total of 30 firefighters extinguished the fire within 20 minutes without any injuries, but unfortunately, after over 20 minutes of CPR on the female, it was determined she was beyond resuscitative measures, reported Ortiz. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The coroner was contacted to respond to the location.

Additionally, there were about a dozen cats that perished in the fire, said Ortiz.

Notification of next of kin is currently ongoing.

Ortiz said, “The building … sustained a lot of damage due to the fire and also due to the age of the building. It will probably be uninhabitable for the near future.”

LAFD Arson Investigators were called for a cause investigation due to the fatality, reported the department.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN