Fire That Caused Death Of 92-Year-Old Woman In Covina Is Called 'Suspicious'

COVINA (CBSLA.com)  — Authorities are at a Covina home trying to determine if a fire -- possibly set -- caused the death of the 92-year-old woman who lived there.

The body of the resident was discovered about 2:05 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel entered the house, extinguished the blaze and discovered the charred remains of the homeowner in a bedroom, according to KCAL9's Crystal Cruz.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators are assisting homicide detectives to determine the cause of the deadly blaze.

Cruz spoke to neighbors outside the gated home with the perfectly manicured lawn.

"Just as curious as everyone else," said neighbor Steve Barbato.

Neighbor's want to know more about how a woman ended up dead in the home's master bedroom.

The bedroom filled with smoke when Gabriel Garcia pulled up.

"Just smoke, I didn't see any fire. It was really almost brownish look in there, like chocolate brown," said Gabriel Garcia, a friend of the victim's 18-year-old grandson, who lives in the home.

Garcia says the grandson showed up before him and together they broke a glass door hoping to get inside.

"I wanted to go in there but he said not to because it was a bad idea," said Garcia.

Neighbor's describe the 92-year-old homeowner as a sweet, widowed woman who has a part-time caretaker.

Someone from the neighborhood takes care of her daily.

Garcia says the caretaker was outside and called 911.

Sheriff's investigators told Cruz the fire appears suspicious.

Detectives haven't said if they're looking for a suspect.