Coroners Say Heat Wave May Be Blamed In Up To 25 Deaths

Wednesday, September 5th 2007, 1:10 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ An eight-day heat wave killed as many as 25 people in Southern California before the temperatures finally began to ebb, coroners in four in counties said Wednesday.

Temperatures have soared past 110 degrees in desert sections of the region, with nighttime temperatures easing only a few degrees. Wednesday's highs were expected to be as much as 20 degrees cooler than the day before, the National Weather Service said.

Utility crews still struggled Wednesday to restore electricity to tens of thousands of homes that have lost power as increased use of air conditioners strained power grids.

Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said his office was investigating 15 possible heat-related deaths. Imperial County Deputy Coroner Henry Proo said seven deaths in that typically hot county were considered heat-related. Two heat-related deaths were reported in San Bernardino County, and one was reported in Riverside County.