LOCAL : Neighbors Lead 3 Lancaster Boys to Safety From Burning Apartment

Neighbors led three young Lancaster boys to safety this morning after a candle being used for light because electricity had been turned off touched off a blaze in their apartment, the Los

Angeles County Fire Department said.

The fire broke out at 12:15 a.m. in the two-bedroom apartment in the 45400 block of Cedar Avenue, Capt. Rory Rehbeck said.

Authorities said Donna Jean Halstead, 34, had lit a candle in her bedroom because the electrical power had been turned off, apparently for non-payment of a bill. Later, while she was outside

talking with neighbors, the candle apparently fell over or burned down and ignited a fire, Rehbeck said.

Halstead’s three sons, James, 11, Josiah, 7, and Phillip Aaron, 5, were sleeping in the second bedroom. When Halstead noticed flames coming from her bedroom, she screamed for help.

Authorities said neighbors Chris Willis and Wesley White ran inside, grabbed the children out of bed and led them out of the apartment, which was filling with smoke.

There were no injuries, and firefighters extinguished the blaze in 10 minutes. Damages were estimated at $20,000.