Local News in Brief : Stove Fire Blamed in Fatal Apartment Blaze

The blaze in a Sherman Oaks apartment building that forced the evacuation of 100 people was caused by food burning on a stove, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said Friday.

A woman, whose name was not released pending notification of relatives, died at Sherman Oaks Memorial Hospital about 10:30 p.m. Thursday from injuries suffered in the fire, authorities said. The woman, who lived in the apartment where the fire started, suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns over her upper body, said Vince Marzo, a Fire Department spokesman.

The fire gutted one unit of the 3-story apartment building in the 14200 block of Dickens Street, but its top floor sustained smoke damage, Marzo said. About 60 firefighters put out the fire at 9:47 p.m. Thursday, about 20 minutes after it started, Marzo said. The blaze caused an estimated $105,000 in damage, he said.

All apartment residents who were evacuated during the blaze were able to return to their homes Thursday night or Friday morning, the apartment manager said.