Briefly in the news

A Newport Beach woman was treated for smoke inhalation Friday

afternoon after she allegedly set her house on fire while trying to burn

some clothes in her bathtub, officials said.

Firefighters responded to an alarm in the 1700 block of Newport Hills

Drive and found thick smoke coming out of the two-story home, said

Newport Beach Fire Capt. John Blauer.

Police began investigating the fire because of “suspicious

circumstance,” according to Newport Beach Police Sgt. Ron Rodgers.

The fire was apparently started by the woman in her bathroom, he said.

There was no structural damage, but the bathtub, shower and other

fixtures were burned, said Rodgers.

The fire was contained to the bathroom and put out in minutes,

officials said.

The woman’s two sons, 8 and 11 years old, who were also in the house

were not hurt, police said. They were with neighbors and police officers

Friday evening as their mother was being treated in Hoag Hospital,

officials said.

The woman’s name and the estimated amount of damage were not available

at press time.