Blaze Claims Life In Kansas City, Kansas

An 80-year-old woman from Kansas City, Kan., died Thursday after her residence caught fire.

Justina L. Quijas died of smoke inhalation and was found in the kitchen, fire officials said. She lived alone. The fire was reported about 9:30 p.m. at 232 N. Early St.

An electrical failure on the first floor started the blaze, officials said. The home's smoke alarm sounded, but officials were uncertain whether it alerted Quijas because it had been installed incorrectly, they said.

Zoe Brown, a neighbor, said she called the victim Miss Lucy. Quijas, Brown said, liked to garden and used to baby-sit her two great-grandchildren.