YOUNG TEACHER DIES IN FIRE AT HOME OWNED BY FOR ASSEMBLYWOMAN HORTON

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East County News Service

December 28, 2015 (Bonita) - Vanessa DeLaCruz, a preschool teacher, died inside a burned home in Bonita that is owned by former Assemblywoman Shirley Horton.  Four other people were taken to UCSD Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

 

The Medical Examiner reports that the young woman’s father awakened to find the house on fire. He ran through the house, awakening other family members. Gathering outside, the family realized Vanessa was not there, so her father and brother put a ladder up to her window but were unable to save her as flames engulfed the home.

Firefighters found the burned body of DeLaCruz in a bedroom after extinguishing the blaze, which occurred early Monday morning.  The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Horton, who formerly represented several East County communities in the state Assembly and also served as Chula Vista’s mayor, was overwhelmed with grief upon arriving at the scene, Channel 7 news reported. She and her husband own several homes located on the property.

The victim taught at the KidsDepot preschool, where a counselor will be brought in to assist her young students and staff cope with the loss. A vigil is also being planned to commemorate DeLaCruz, who a spokesperson for the school remembered as a “teacher who brought joy and love to all of the staff and children.”

 

 


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