OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Authorities say two people died, and another was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries in a fire started in the kitchen of an Oakland home.
Fire crews on Wednesday responded to a fire in the 1700 block of 89th Avenue that killed John Weathers, 57, and Althia Weathers, 62.
The couple is listed at an address on that block.
Oakland Fire Acting Battalion Chief Marlon Brandle says that upon arrival, firefighters found light smoke coming from the back of the home and a small kitchen.
Officials said that the fire started on a pot on the stove in the kitchen and may have been smoldering a long time before it was reported.
He says all three victims suffered from smoke inhalation. The woman died at the scene and officials say her death did not appear to be suspicious.
A third person, a man in his late 70s or early 80s, also suffered serious smoke inhalation injuries in the fire, according to fire officials.