Authorities identify woman found in burning home; death ruled a suicide

A woman who died Wednesday after firefighters found her inside a burning home has been identified as 48-year-old Susan Child of Las Vegas.

An autopsy was performed Thursday, but a spokeswoman with the Clark County coroner's office said toxicologic tests and further investigation were needed to determine the exact cause of death.

Scott Allison, Clark County Fire Department spokesman, said Las Vegas police joined in the arson investigation and ruled Child's death a suicide. Allison said that five small fires had been set in different parts of the house and that the woman had shot herself.

The spokesman said Child was unconscious but breathing when firefighters found her in a second-floor bedroom, but she later stopped breathing. She was taken to University Medical Center and pronounced dead about 10:30 a.m.

Allison said a caller reported the fire about 9:40 a.m. after seeing smoke emerging from the chimney and roof of the home at 4060 Spitze Drive, near Flamingo Road and Decatur Boulevard. He said a man arrived at the scene and said his wife should be in an upstairs bedroom.

The spokesman said firefighters found the woman, and investigators later determined that five small fires had been set in different parts of the house. He said firefighters quickly contained the fires and saved the structure, but four dogs died.