A woman was discovered dead inside a home that had been consumed by flames in Calaveras County, California, as the Gann Fire continues to burn through more than 10,000 acres. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as a 70-year-old unidentified woman found in the 4600 block of Jaquima Drive, near Angels Camp.
Authorities are working to determine the exact cause and manner of the woman's death and whether it is connected to the fire. "At this stage of the investigation, investigators from both agencies are working to determine the cause and manner of death and the relationship between the death and the fire," the sheriff’s office stated. "Investigators will continue to evaluate all available evidence as the investigation progresses."
The announcement of the death followed the arrest of Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, of Valley Springs. He is accused of recklessly starting the Gann Fire. Smith reportedly told KCRA that he was using a saw to cut metal scraps when the fire began. "This is going to destroy my life, one way or another," Smith said.