A 66-year-old woman was killed and a 35-year-old woman critically injured Saturday morning in a house fire in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles.
The 66-year-old woman, who was taken to an area hospital in grave condition, was later pronounced dead, said Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
KCBS2 identified the woman as Melinda Rodriguez, who was a mother of eight and who watched over her grandson daily.
Crews responded at 4 a.m. to the home on the 2200 block of East Sheridan Street, and located a one-story house with fire showing, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Knockdown of the fire was declared at 4:30 a.m., Stewart said.
A 34-year-old woman, with possible burns and smoke inhalation, was listed in critical condition at an area hospital. A 3-month-old boy, a 35-year-old man and a 66-year-old man were all listed in serious condition with possible smoke inhalation, said Amy Bastman of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Arson investigators were called to the scene to help determine the cause of the fire.