Most of dead in California fires fled too late: investigators

LOS ANGELES (AFP) Oct 28, 2003
Most of the 13 people who died in three huge fires menacing the California city of San Diego were burned when they fled too late after ignoring evacuation orders, officials said Tuesday.

"They were mostly burns victims who were trying to escape but sadly had left it too late," San Diego Medical Examiner's Office spokesman Sal Rodriguez told AFP.

"These fires are terribly dangerous and people must heed orders to evacuate because tragic experience has shown that if you hesitate, the wind could change and your chances of survival could be hurt," he said.

The identities and exact caused of deaths of all the victims of the fires covering at least 112,400 hectares (281,000 acres) around San Diego were not immediately available.

Another two elderly people in San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles died of heart attacks or stress-related conditions brought on by watching their homes burn or the flames advance towards them.

TERRA.WIRE