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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fire Kills 4 While Crews Respond To Wrong House

Compiled From Wire Services

A fire killed a mother of eight and her three youngest children early Monday while firefighters went to the wrong house.

Fire crews took 14 minutes to arrive at the blaze in Los Angeles’ South Central section.

Chief Donald Manning ordered an investigation into the delay. Fire department officials said dispatchers sent at least one group of firefighters to the wrong house.

Firefighters found the bodies of Beverly Middleton, 36, a 2-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter in a hall. An 11-month-old son was found dead in a bedroom.

The eldest daughter, a 13-year-old, released the security bars from a bedroom window and lifted three little sisters to safety.

An older brother was not at home when the fire broke out.