January 3 – Firefighters responded to a 2nd alarm apartment fire at the Highland Apartments, located at 11800 block of Mt. Vernon Ave. in Grand Terrace at approximately 8 p.m. and found fire coming from the bottom level apartment of the two-story building.

Prior to firefighter arrival, all residents from adjacent apartments evacuated safely. Several people from nearby apartments tried to douse the fire with fire extinguishers but to no avail.

Once on scene, firefighters had the fire extinguished within 45 minutes. The sole occupant of the residence, a 47 year old female, was found deceased inside. The fire started at the front of the residence and is believed to have ignited when a strand of Christmas tree lights caught the Christmas tree on fire. The fire consumed the entire inside of the residence and is completely destroyed. Three other apartments sustained smoke damage.

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