Woman died after candle lit clothes, officials say

A woman killed in a Las Vegas house fire Friday night accidentally set herself ablaze inside a closet at her Creekside Lane home near Rainbow Boulevard and Westcliff Drive.

The unidentified woman, who authorities believe was 74, was found dead on a closet floor.

Fire officials believe she was changing a light bulb inside the closet and the flame of a candle she was using for light caught her clothes on fire.

She died of smoke inhalation and burns, according to fire officials.

The fire took less than a minute to suppress. Damage was limited to the closet and estimated at $5,000.

Authorities initially believed the woman lived in the home with her husband, a Navy veteran, but have since dis­covered he died a couple of years ago. She was alone in the home and the first person killed in a house fire in Las Vegas in 2011.

The Clark County coroner will formally identify the woman.

Contact Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo
@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.

.....We hope you appreciate our content. Subscribe Today to continue reading this story, and all of our stories.
Limited Time Offer!
Our best offer of the year. Unlock unlimited digital access today with this special offer!!
99¢ for six months
Exit mobile version