Couple Married Nearly 70 Years Identified After Deadly Santa Monica House Fire

SANTA MONICA, CA — The elderly couple killed when a fire tore through their Santa Monica home early Sunday have been identified as 92-year-old Anthony and Helen Spaulding.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the couple following the blaze in the 500 block of Lincoln Boulevard, which broke out shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday.

Helen Spaulding died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns, according to Medical Examiner records. Her death was ruled an accident.

The cause and manner of Anthony Spaulding's death remained deferred Tuesday, meaning additional investigation is pending, according to the Medical Examiner. Both cases remain open.

Firefighters arrived at the single-family home to find it fully engulfed, with heavy fire burning on multiple sides, according to the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Crews launched an aggressive attack on the flames while searching the residence and found two people inside. Both were removed from the home and firefighters immediately began advanced life support measures, but neither could be revived.

No firefighters were injured.

Rick Garcia, who identified himself to KTLA as the couple's caregiver, said Anthony and Helen Spaulding had been married for nearly 70 years and had five children.

"They were a lovely couple who had a great relationship," Garcia said. "They had five lovely children all dedicated to their parents…it’s very tragic."

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Following the blaze, the Santa Monica Fire Department urged residents to ensure working smoke alarms are installed throughout their homes and to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.