JOSHUA TREE WOMAN FOUND DEAD AFTER FRIDAY HOUSE FIRE

A woman and her pets died in an apparently accidental housefire in Joshua Tree Friday afternoon. According to County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle, firefighters were called to a home at 60769 La Mirada Trail about 1 p.m. While en route to the fire, Tuttle said firefighters learned that a woman was possibly trapped inside the home. When fire crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the single story, single-family home; they began an offensive attack on the blaze, and made an unsuccessful search for trapped occupants and pets inside the home. The fire was under control in about 18 minutes. Firefighters then went back into the home and during a second search, found a deceased woman, as well as two cats and a dog, who had died in different locations inside. Arson investigators have been called in to determine the cause of the fire. The woman’s identity has not yet been released by the coroner’s office. Tuttle reminds residents that it’s never safe to re-enter a burning building; all occupants should evacuate first and then call 911.