MERCED -- A woman who was burned in an east Merced house fire has died.
Lindsea Crabb, 22, died Tuesday afternoon in a burn unit at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, according to family members and hospital officials.
Crabb was one of six people who were injured in the fire, reported just after 5:30 a.m. Monday at the 2321 Green St. residence.
Two additional people who were burned in the fire, a man and a woman, remain hospitalized. The man is in stable condition, while the woman is in critical condition.
The other victims suffered smoke inhalation and were treated in the area.
Crabb's brother-in-law, James Hall, said his family's experience is like a nightmare he cannot wake up from.
Hall said his family members had been optimistic about Crabb's condition. Her health had been improving, according to Hall, until she took a turn for the worse Tuesday afternoon.
Hall called his sister-in-law a "young and awesome" person who will be missed. "She was just a good-hearted person. She was my brother's wife and his life," Hall said.
The Red Cross was able to assist Hall and his family with temporary housing at an area hotel.
Battalion Chief Don Roe of the Merced Fire Department said the cause of the fire remains unknown. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene.
Firefighters were able to control the blaze in 55 minutes.
The fire caused about $55,000 in damage to the three-bedroom home with an area of about 1,100 square feet.
Federal investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to assist with the investigation because of the number of people who were hurt in the blaze.
City Editor Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsunstar.com
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