CARUTHERS, Calif. — Authorities have identified the woman who died in a fire earlier this week in Caruthers as 36-year-old Samantha Dellia, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.
The fire occurred around 5 a.m. Monday in a shed on the backside of a property along the 13000 block of South Quince Avenue. Dellia and a 44-year-old man were inside at the time. The man suffered severe burns and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Later Monday morning, investigators uncovered new information suggesting the fire’s cause may be suspicious. Sheriff’s detectives are now working with fire officials to determine the circumstances surrounding Dellia’s death and the man’s injuries.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sheriff’s Detective Oscar Iniguez at (559) 600-8201 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867.