Elderly Woman Dies in Bel Air House Fire

A house fire in the Bel Air area claimed the life of an elderly woman early this morning. The Los Angeles Fire Department reports that the blaze was reported at around 3:30 this morning at a 53-year-old two-story home on North Basil Lane.

The LAFD describes the scene:

Firefighters made their way up narrow windy roads to find a [the structure] well involved in fire. Additional resources were immediately requested to assist in battling the intense flames and to protect near by hillside homes. Fire shot through the roof, self ventilating the structure and causing electrical power lines to fall.

The body of a 79-year-old woman was found during the search-and-rescue phase of the operation. She died in the home's master bedroom. Firefighters also found a 50-year-old man in the house; he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the home may not have had a working smoke alarm. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.