Bakersfield Californian, May 20 2006
Fatal fire caused by paint, pilot light, officials say
A woman killed in a Thursday house fire died after spilled paint was ignited by a pilot light,
Kern County coroner officials said.
Doris Valov, 64, was in her home with her husband in the 1000 block of
Greeley Road Thursday morning. A can of automotive paint was accidentally knocked over, officials said, and the pilot light from the furnace ignited the paint.
Valov suffered severe smoke inhalation and burns to her face and arms, officials said. She died at
Mercy Southwest Hospital.
Her husband was taken to
Sherman Oaks Burn Center after also suffering injuries, officials said.
He was in "serious, but stable" condition Saturday, a burn center spokeswoman said.