The Region : Woman Dies in Fire Trying to Save Dog

A 90-year-old Los Angeles woman who entered a burning boarding house to save a puppy died in a fire that destroyed the building and left 10 people homeless. Witnesses said Bettie Zinamorn safely escaped the burning two-story house near downtown, but went back inside to rescue a dog. Her body was found at the top of the stairs on the second floor. Firefighters could not find the puppy. Five other adults and five children escaped the flames. The fire, which apparently started on a rear porch about 2:15 a.m., caused $88,000 damage to the home, fire spokesman Jim Wells said. He said arson investigators were trying to determine whether flammable liquids were used to start the blaze.