Elderly Arizona Couple Die In Fire At Home Without Smoke Detector

An elderly Tucson couple died after being overcome by smoke in a fire at their home that did not have a smoke detector, authorities said.

Nov. 5, 2004

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- An elderly Tucson couple died after being overcome by smoke in a fire at their home that did not have a smoke detector, authorities said.

Firefighters pulled Manuel M. Valenzuela, 77, and Artimisa Valenzuela, 79, from their home early Thursday.

``Had they had an early warning, chances are much better they would've gotten out alive,'' said Deputy Chief Randy Ogden, a spokesman for the Tucson Fire Department.

The cause of the fire was electrical and not suspicious, Ogden said.

Investigators believed a short in a light fixture sparked the fire, but weren't completely certain because of the extensive damage.

Family members said the Valenzuelas celebrated their 50th anniversary last November.