Lawn Mower Blamed In Deadly Fire

A spark from a lawn mower is believed to have ignited a fire that killed a woman and destroyed nine mobile homes as it scorched 377 acres.

Tempest V. Arvickson, 77, a resident in a mobile home park invaded by smoke and flames, died shortly after the park was evacuated Tuesday afternoon, said Joanne Evans, a Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman.

More than 180 firefighters summoned to the 3:30 p.m. fire battled the flames for about eight hours before declaring the blaze contained, or surrounded. All hot spots were extinguished by 8 a.m. today, Evans said.