An elderly woman died early Wednesday morning after her Torrance condominium caught fire.
Firefighters from the Torrance Fire Department responded to the 2:30 a.m. fire at a three-story condominium complex on Paseo de la Playa, said Torrance Fire Capt. Bob Millea.
Flames were shooting out a second-floor window, and the hallways of the second and third floors were filled with smoke.
The department deployed 45 firefighters, who were able to contain the fire to one unit on the second floor within 20 minutes, Millea said.
They found an elderly female occupant dead in the condominium, Millea said. She was the only person found inside. Arson investigators were called to the scene.
The blaze caused about $500,000 in damages. About 40 residents were evacuated, he said.
— My-Thuan Tran