WHITTIER — Authorities have released the names of an elderly couple killed last week in a fire at their Whittier home.
Ronald Brownell Wanke, 87, and Margaret Chesney Wanke, 84, died following the Friday afternoon fire in the 10500 block of Orange Drive, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Reports indicate Ronald Wanke was trying to rescue his wife from the fire when both suffered fatal injuries, Winter said.
“(Margaret Wanke’s) husband called 9-1-1 and attempted to drag (her) out of the house,” Winter said. She had difficulty getting around due to a recent hip fracture.
The couple tried to exit the back door but were unable, Winter said.
When police and firefighters arrived, Wanke was found in full cardiac arrest and rushed to a hospital where he died a short time later, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Matt Levesque said.
An autopsy was pending Tuesday, however he may have succumbed to smoke inhalation, officials said.
Margaret Wanke was hospitalized with severe burns and ultimately died the morning after the fire, according to coroner’s and fire officials.
A police officer who tried to rescue the couple but was himself overcome by the smoke was also hospitalized following the fire, but not seriously hurt.
The blaze was initially believed to have been sparked by an electrical problem.