Woman dies in house fire in Atascadero
Shirley Martin was founded unconscious and unresponsive after first responders arrived at her burning home. She later died in the hospital.
Shirley Martin of Atascadero died at Twin Cities Community Hospital after she was found unconscious in Atascadero outside her burning home early Friday morning. Atascadero Fire Captain Bill White said Atascadero City Fire Department personnel, along with Cal Fire, Paso Robles Fire, Templeton Fire, San Luis Ambulance and Atascadero Police, responded to a call around 4:30 a.m. Friday for a fire on the 4500 block of Rosita Avenue.
According to White, the fire was contained within 40 minutes with more than 22 firefighters on-site. White said that the fire appears to have started in the living room, though the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
According to White, the first engines that arrived found the structure to have heavy fire and smoke conditions to the interior of the residence. They found an elderly female — Martin — outside the residence, unconscious and unresponsive. While some responded focused on assisting Martin, others worked to confine the fire to the origin.
Martin was transported to Twin Cities Community Hospital, where White said she died of unknown causes.
Damage to the house and contents is estimated at $375,000, White said.
