Mom dies after trying to save 12-year-old daughter from apartment fire, CA officials say

A mother died after trying to save her 12-year-old daughter from a fire that broke out in their apartment, California officials told news outlets.

At around 10:47 p.m. on Dec. 20, firefighters received reports of an apartment fire, according to a Facebook post by the Downey Fire Department.

When firefighters responded to the scene, they saw the blaze had worked its way into the living room of the home, officials said.

The apartment units in the community are “two stories with garages, living rooms and kitchens on the ground floor and bedrooms on the second floor,” according to KTLA.

The mother, Vanessa Kaimimoku, and her 12-year-old daughter, Kayla, were upstairs when the fire started, according to KABC.

The mother was living in the home with her two daughters and two sons, according to KTLA.

Officials told the outlet that the three other children were not harmed.

“I saw the unit was catching fire and I was like ‘No, it can’t be her,’” neighbor Julio Gonzalez told CBS Los Angeles.

The mother and two family pets didn’t survive, officials said.

Kayla died the following day in the hospital from her injuries, according to a Facebook post by the Downey Fire Department.

The fire was contained around 11:25 p.m., officials said. The cause remains under investigation.

Kayla’s grandmother who lived next door was taken to the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center for burn treatments, according to KTLA. It’s believed the fire started in her garage.

Vanessa Kaimimoku “took every bit of strength to go in that house to attempt to save her,” Jonathan Gardilcic, who lost his sister and his niece, told KABC. “I wish I could’ve been here to help.”

Downey is about 15 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published December 23, 2022 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Mom dies after trying to save 12-year-old daughter from apartment fire, CA officials say."