El Cajon Firefighters responded to a reported apartment fire at 355 Linda Way.  Fire crews arrived within a few minutes where they found smoke coming from an upstairs bedroom of a two-bedroom, two-story apartment.  The fire was out in less than within 20 minutes.  Rescued from the second floor area was a 38 year-old woman and two children, a 4 year-old boy and 2 year-old girl.   The woman died a short time later at a local hospital.  The children were treated and released to relatives.
 
Upon investigation it was found there were "no working smoke detectors" in the apartment.  What saved the children was the fact that the door to their bedroom was "closed", delaying smoke and flames from entering.  Although the investigation is not complete, the use of "smoking materials" is suspected to have led to the early morning blaze.
 
Damage to an upstairs bedroom and it's contents is estimated to be under $25,000.  There was no reported damage to neighboring apartments.  Please contact the Medical Examiner for the name of the deceased woman.
 
This is yet another important reminder to make sure you have "working" smoke detectors in your home.  And you should sleep with doors closed to your bedroom.  Fire Prevention week is in October, October 3rd through the 9th.  This year's theme is "Test Your Smoke Alarms".  Have you tested your's lately?   You should test your smoke detector at least once a month and change the batteries to smoke detectors at least twice a year.   Don't know how old your smoke detector is?  You should replace smoke detectors every ten years.  These reminders are proven life savers!
 
From El Cajon Fire Public Information Officer & Safety Educator Monica Zech, at 619-441-1615