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Woman Rescued From Mendoza House Fire as Police Open Attempted-Homicide Investigation

She remains in intensive care with burns to about 20% of her body following early findings that point to a deliberate blaze.

Overview

  • The blaze erupted Tuesday afternoon at a home on Salta 2300 in Ciudad de Mendoza, where crews from the Cuartel Central and Godoy Cruz stations worked for over an hour to control the fire and pull the victim out.
  • The victim, identified as 36-year-old Yésica Vanina Espitanieli, was taken to Hospital Lagomaggiore and admitted to the ICU with injuries affecting roughly a fifth of her body.
  • Initial fire service forensics indicated the fire was likely set intentionally, according to local reporting cited by authorities.
  • Police from Comisaría Cuarta detained Roberto Baigorria Britos and his sister, Sandra Lorena Baigorria Britos, who are under investigation for attempted homicide.
  • Espitanieli told investigators she was beaten and locked inside by Roberto and that others present did not intervene, while homicide prosecutor Andrea Lazo directs the probe with scientific and investigative units processing the scene and a police guard posted at the hospital.