Forty-four firefighters from three companies beat back flames that coursed through a single-family home in South Pasadena Sunday morning.
The woman who had lived in the home for 40 years had recently passed away, according to Los Angeles Fire officials. Her family was in the process of moving out, making it hard to get into the home.
"This is house is in transition, it's not occupied but there are still contents in the house that were in a position that blocked firefighters' access into the structure," San Gabriel Fire Department division chief Richard Beckman said.
No one was injured in the fire, reported at 3:56 a.m., at 812 Kendall Avenue. Crews were originally concerned the family was in the home.
It took just under an hour to knock down the fire. South Pasadena, San Gabriel and Los Angeles City fire departments responded.
Fire officials said they wouldn't put it out completely until the investigation is complete. Arson investigators are on-scene.
The preliminary investigation determined the cause of the fire was either a faulty heating unit or combustible material too close to the heating unit, Beckerman said.
