Mother and daughter killed, grandmother injured in Downey apartment fire

A mother and her daughter have died after an overnight apartment fire in Downey. Another woman, believed to be another family member was hospitalized in critical condition.

Downey Fire Department firefighters were called at approximately 10:47 p.m. Tuesday at Dinsdale Street and Tweedy Lane.

Neighbors said it was frightening to see and hear the fire as it engulf the family's home. 

"I saw the unit was catching fire and I was like 'No, it can't be her," said neighbor Julio Gonzalez. 

Gonzalez was fast asleep when his son saw the inferno across the driveway, burning up his neighbor's home. Before fire crews got there, Gonzalez said his cousin's husband, who lives next door, ran into the flames, but it was too late. 

"He yelled," said Gonzalez. "Nobody came up. He was going to go upstairs to see if he would see somebody and he said the fire was too extreme."

Neighbors were afraid the whole neighborhood was going to catch on fire. 

"It's a small community," said neighbor George Sanabria. "It breaks your heart to think about."

Three people were carried out of the burning apartment, which firefighters were able to contain after several hours.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The Downey Fire Department said a young girl, about 12 years old, who was the victim's daughter, later died at the hospital. 

"You appreciate life a lot more," said Gonzalez. "A young lady, her daughter — it just ain't right. It's just not right."

A neighbor, who wished to stay anonymous, said that one woman who looked to be the grandmother escaped the fire.

"She looked confused," said the neighbor. "She was in shock. She hardly even knew what was going on."

A woman believed to be the girl's grandmother remains hospitalized. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation and authorities have not released the identities of the victims. 

Neighbors are trying to put together a fundraiser for the family.