Officials: Children Playing With Lighter Started Apartment Fire

EL PASO, Texas — Fire officials determined that a Lower Valley apartment fire was started by children playing with a lighter.

Firefighters responded to the blaze about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Smoke was coming from one unit of an apartment complex in the 400 block of Emerson.

A woman at the scene had burns to her hair. Bystanders had already rescued her through a window when firefighters arrived, fire officials said. Investigators determined the woman became trapped by the fire in the bedroom as she attempted to fight the fire before calling 911.

The fire was ruled as accidental, and damage was estimated at $25,000.

Fire officials remind the public to keep lighters and matches locked up and away from children. They also remind the public that if their house is on fire always evacuate the home and call 911.