Woman found dead at scene of Lomita apartment fire

LOMITA, Calif. (KABC) -- A woman was found dead at the scene of an apartment fire in Lomita early Tuesday morning.

The fire was reported around 5:50 a.m. in the 26100 block of Narbonne Avenue. Firefighters searched the structure and found a woman inside one of the apartment units. They rushed to get her out, but it was too late.

"Heavy smoke and portions of it was involved with fire," described Capt. John Carresi with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The fire was quickly knocked down. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Authorities initially said the fire was suspicious, but after an investigation, detectives determined that the fire was accidental in nature.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives, K-9 units and Los Angeles County Fire Department arson investigators were on the scene.

Area residents said they were shocked and saddened over the tragic situation.

"It's scary. I'm just finding this out right now. I honestly hope that there wasn't any issue with somebody else coming in and setting fire there, because that does scare me. I don't know who now has access to come into our building. It's a little scary," said Leah Penso, a neighbor.

The victim's name has not been released. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Narbonne Avenue was shut down south of Pacific Coast Highway in the area due to the fire investigation.