Lakeport woman killed in apartment fire identified

The woman who died Sunday evening in a Lakeport apartment fire has been identified as Deborah Diane Dowdy, 52, Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Steve Brooks said Tuesday.

Dowdy died of apparent smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at the Lakeview Apartments on Bevins Street shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison said. Dowdy was found in a smoke-stained elevator at the two-story, 36-unit apartment for low-income seniors.

“There was no indication she was burned,” Hutchison said.

Dowdy escaped the fire but went back inside to get something out of her apartment, according to resident accounts given to fire officials.

The fire is being investigated as an accident.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.