19 dead in NYC apt. bldg. fire

Nineteen people died – nine of them children – in a fire Sunday morning at a high-rise apartment building in the New York City borough of the Bronx. A defective space heater is blamed for the blaze.

The lower-floor fire generated thick rising smoke, according to the Associated Press, choking some people and making it difficult for others to evacuate the building quickly. It was reported that fire alarms went off, but were ignored by some because of the regularity there of false alarms.

At least 60 people were injured and 13 hospitalized in critical condition.

Also in the news …

• Bob Saget, best-known for his role in the situation comedy “Full House,” has died at the age of 65. He was found “unresponsive” Sunday in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida. Officials say there was no sign of foul play or drug use.

Sports: Rams lose, but win; Chargers fall in OT

When is a loss also a victory? When the Los Angeles Rams (now 12-5) were defeated in overtime 27-24 by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, that was a disappointment, but at the same time, the Arizona Cardinals (now 11-6) lost 38-30 to the Seattle Seahawks, making the Rams the NFC West champs.

The result of the game was the snapping of the Rams’ five-game winning streak, and the extension to six games of the Niners’ mastery of the Rams. Next up is a Monday Night Football game on Jan. 17 hosting those Cardinals at SoFi. The two teams split their games.

The Los Angeles Chargers lost 35-32 in overtime to the Las Vegas Raiders and will miss the playoffs. The Bolts (9-8) rallied from two touchdowns down to tie the game, which was finally settled when Daniel Carlson kicked a 47-yard field goal that sent the Raiders into the post-season.

Weather: Warm weather for a while

The unseasonably warm days that we’ve been having in the West Orange County area will continue for several days. The forecast for Monday is for mostly cloudy skies, but a daytime high of 75 with a low of 50. On Tuesday, it will be warmer at 78 (47) under sunny skies. Partly cloudy conditions will move in on Wednesday with a high of 75 (55). After that, the thermometer will dip into the 60s for at least a week.