(UPDATE 11:30 a.m.) – A woman was found dead in the Lompoc apartment complex where a fire broke out Saturday morning, according to Lompoc police.
Lompoc firefighters remained on scene just before noon investigating the cause of the blaze that broke out around 6:30 a.m.
The fire originated in a downstairs unit of the Kimi East Apartments and flames spread to the upstairs unit, according to Lompoc Fire Battalion Chief Brian Federmann.
Lompoc police confirmed a woman’s body was located in the unit where the fire broke out.
No further information was released about the woman’s identity.
Investigators on the scene of Kimi East apartments in #Lompoc where a fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. in downstairs unit. 1 person found dead in that unit, no info about victim being released. Officials say Red Cross is helping 4-5 people displaced. Extensive damage to complex. pic.twitter.com/B9ojdPjCLK
— Aja Goare (@ajagoare) June 22, 2019
Police said it’s standard protocol for them to investigate the death, but cannot confirm that the woman died from the fire until an autopsy is complete.
The fire displaced four to five residents of about three units in the complex, according to Lompoc Fire officials.
The displaced residents are receiving assistance with shelter from the Red Cross.
The unit where the fire originated was “extensively damaged,” according to fire officials, and at least two other units were also damaged.
Residents were evacuated Saturday morning and no other injuries were reported.
It took fire crews about 15 to 20 minutes to knock down the flames.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
UPDATE (9 a.m) – Lompoc Fire officials tell KSBY News a fatality has been reported in connection with a structure fire in Lompoc Saturday morning.
The fire reportedly broke out shortly after 6:30 a.m. in a downstairs unit of a two-story apartment complex on the 1000 block of East Cypress and spread to the second unit and attic.
Firefighters evacuated nearby units and were able to knock the flames down within about 15 minutes.
Fire officials say the body was discovered in the unit where the fire is believed to have started.
Officials from Lompoc City Fire, the Lompoc Police Department and Santa Barbara County expect to remain on scene throughout most of the day handling the investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY: Firefighters were working to get a handle on a structure fire in Lompoc Saturday morning.
In a post on social media, Lompoc Fire said as of 7:15 a.m., crews remained on scene along the 1000 block of East Cypress.
Flames could be seen coming from inside the building creating heavy smoke.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
