Officials investigating deadly DHS fire

Authorities have identified the woman who died in a house fire in Desert Hot Springs early Friday morning.

She was 64-year old Barbara McClure.

“I heard a popping sound, and when I opened the door I saw all the smoke and flames,” said Stephanie, who lives next door to the Desert Hot Springs home that caught fire around 1 a.m. Friday morning.

“I heard somebody screaming and I thought somebody was breaking into the house,” said Pat, Stephanie’s roommate. “We all had to come outside to evacute and then I did see the flames.”

Firefighters were called to an 1,800 square-foot residence in the 12600 block of Sumac Road. Officals with Cal Fire said they evacuated one man and three women from the burning home.

“I was more worried that there were people inside,” Stephanie said. “I could hear the man yelling. I knew that he was out but I knew there were a couple other people in there.”

All four were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center.

McClure was later airlifted to the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Burn Unit where she died from her injuries, according to a release from Cal Fire.

Officials said one of the other fire victims was in critical condition and the other two were listed as stable.

Firefighters said this is an open investigation and no further information will be released until more follow-up interviews are conducted.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Detective Corinn Lindsey with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.