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SOUTH LAKE, CA – Tuesday May 20th 2008 at approximately 3:17 A.M., a
call was received by the Kern County Fire Department for a house fire in
the 4400 block of Larsen Road.  A 94 year old female was reported
missing to firefighters. She was later found deceased in the rear
apartment. Approximately 17 Kern County Firefighters responded to the
incident.

Upon arrival, crews were faced with a fully developed fire in a
connected apartment at the rear of the property; this was spreading very
quickly into the main house at the front. The fire was spreading through
the structure, with exposures to the North and South. A fire crew made
an initial attack on the fire at the rear of the house then made entry
into the structure to extinguish the fire; simultaneously another crew
went to the front property. There is a limited water supply in this
area, fire crews shuttled water from the nearest hydrant approximately 1
mile from the scene.1 out building was also destroyed by fire.
Firefighters were able to save approximately $50,000 of adjacent
property value. However, the fire destroyed approximately $165,000 of
property and contents.
Two adults were woken by the sound of the fire before their smoke alarm
operated and were able to escape unharmed before the arrival of the Fire
Department. Red Cross has been notified.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. There were no
reported injuries.