Smoke Alarm Broken in Home Where 4 Died
The only smoke alarm in the house where Donald Ybarra and his three young sons died in a fire Tuesday was broken and had been removed shortly before, his wife told authorities.
Fire investigators combing the ruins of the home said Wednesday that the detector was found on top of a dresser, where Melodie Ybarra last remembered seeing it.
She escaped the fire with second-degree burns. Her husband and their sons, ages 7, 4 and 2, died when flames spread too quickly for neighbors and firefighters to rescue them.
Investigators were interviewing witnesses and searching the house on Joan Way for clues about how the fire started.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
