On Wednesday night, December 04, 2019 at approximately 10:32 P.M., multiple calls were received by 9-1-1 regarding an active residential structure fire located in the 600 block of Cherry Street, in the City of Novato.   At the time of the calls, it was unknown if the residence was occupied.  Multiple First Responders were immediately dispatched including the Novato Fire Department, who arrived on the scene at approximately 10:37 P.M. and discovered the structure fully engulfed in fire.  At approximately 10:42 P.M., entry was made into the structure in an attempt to locate and rescue any occupants.  Due to debris inside the residence, and the active fire and smoke conditions, the ensuing search was laborious and challenging.  A lone female occupant was located unconscious and unresponsive inside the residence.  She was rescued, and moved from the structure to an outside location where awaiting paramedics provided aggressive and emergent resuscitative advanced life support.  Despite these efforts, the subject failed to respond to treatment and sadly, her death was pronounced on the scene at 11:14 P.M.     

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Ardith Marie PARRA, an 84-year-old female from Novato, CA.

A forensic post mortem examination and toxicology testing have scheduled on Friday, December 06, 2019.  The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigation being completed by the Novato Police Department, Novato Fire Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division.  No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.  Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Novato Police and Fire Departments.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offer our best wishes and condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Parra.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043