2 Children and Their Grandmother killed in apartment fire in Covina

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1 Woman, 1 toddler and 1 infant dead after fire rips through apartment in West Covina

KABC — Three people, a woman and two children, died in an apartment fire in West Covina overnight, authorities said.

The fire broke out just before 1 a.m. Sunday at the apartment complex along Amar Road, according to the West Covina Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, they encountered large flames ripping through multiple windows of the building.

The blaze was eventually extinguished. Details about the identities and relationship of the three victims have not been officially released by authorities, but a family friend of the victims contacted ABC7, saying the woman who died was babysitting her grandchildren while the parents went on a date.

Residents of the complex said they’re simply heartbroken by the tragedy.

“We park close to their apartment so we would see, it was a young family, a young couple who had two young children, a toddler and an infant, probably under a year old, so we would see them,” said one resident who did not wish to disclose her name.

“All I saw was the flames, they live right in front of me … it was just a really big fire right in front of us,” said another resident.

Later in the night, several people gathered in a courtyard for a prayer vigil, standing near a memorial full of flowers, candles and toys.

“It was sad seeing how short life is because we did seem them, the kids, had their toys outside every day and they were playing,” said a resident named Art.

He told ABC7 his son tried to help firefighters during the fire.

“My son over there he was running around, breaking all the glass for the fire extinguishers, giving them to me and the officers,” he said. “There was actually an officer that was next to me that had tears coming down his eyes while he was trying to put it out.”

Another neighbor described the harrowing scene when the children’s parents returned to the scene.

“What broke my heart was at that time the parents got home,” said Cinthya Ontiveros. “So around that time, that’s when the mom and dad got home. I don’t know if they were working but just hearing her screams and her cry … there’s no words.”

One unit sustained severe damage in the fire, while other nearby units had some smoke damage.

We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the victims and wish a quick recovery for others involved in this crash during this very difficult time.

If you have been negatively affected by a burn, and think there may be somebody who was negligent and responsible for the fire (or other sources of the burn) in California, an experienced burn injury lawyer or personal injury lawyer can make you assure that your rights are protected. The Law Offices of Burg & Brock has offices throughout California.

When individuals are harmed or killed in traffic accidents, and another party is at fault, full compensation is not always granted, despite the circumstances. Skilled legal representation from a car or truck accident attorney is typically a must in these situations.

Photo credit: ABC7

Legal Defenders at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock has helped countless families and individuals obtain the compensation they need to deal with expenses and move on with their lives. For a police report or other information, call us today at (818) 405-9091.

What California law says after a car accident

Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California

When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.

A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.

A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.

Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.

Reporting requirements after a California collision

California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.

A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.

A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.

Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.

Information for Families After a Fatal Collision

Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.