< The Latest 2025-09-01T00:32:03+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Sat 08/30 09:32am PST | Sydney Barragan
An elderly woman was found dead after a house fire early Saturday morning in Pasadena, authorities said.
Crews responded around 6:25 a.m. to reports of a blaze in the 1500 block of Lancashire Place, the City of Pasadena announced. They arrived to find the home, northwest of the Rose Bowl, engulfed in flames.
As they extinguished the fire and searched the property, crews discovered the woman’s body inside the residence. She is believed to have been the only person living in the home, said city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
The woman’s name and age have not been released. Derderian said on Sunday the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not confirmed her identity.
Hoarding conditions inside the home made it hard for firefighters and may have made it tough for the woman to escape, Derderian said.
“With conditions like that, we’ve seen in the past it’s made it difficult for residents to get out in a fire situation because with the smoke you get disoriented and it’s harder to navigate and find your exit,” Derderian said.
The house also did not have a working smoke detector, she said.
“It’s a tragic situation all around, but also a reminder for everybody to have working smoke detectors and fire alarms, and check on your neighbors and loved ones,” she added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, though it appeared to be accidental, Derderian said.
The fire spread to vegetation behind the residence, she said, but firefighters’ quick response prevented the blaze from reaching nearby homes.