Woman dies in east-central Fresno apartment fire
A woman was killed in a Saturday afternoon blaze at an east-central Fresno apartment, authorities said, with a police officer and fire crews unable to reach her in time amid heavy flames and smoke.
Police were first on the scene, called to the Peachwood apartments in the 1200 block of North Peach Avenue, near Olive Avenue, about 1 p.m. Dispatchers had received 911 hangup calls of a fire breaking out in the second story.
The officer started evacuating the first floor. Residents warned of a person trapped and the officer could hear the smoke alarm but was blocked by flames and smoke coming out of the window.
Firefighters also were met by heavy flames and the initial crew was reinforced but after knocking down the blaze found the woman dead inside.
With the fire spreading to the roof, the Fire Department sounded a second alarm and was assisted by county firefighters.
Fire officials said at least 36 personnel were assigned to the scene. Six apartment units were declared uninhabitable and 18 residents were displaced.
The cause is under investigation.
