Burbank Man, 61, Dies of House Fire Injuries

A61-year-old Burbank man died Wednesday of injuries he received in a house fire caused by a smoldering cigarette, a spokesman for the Burbank Fire Department said.

Jack Downum suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to his head and face in the Tuesday evening fire at 918 S. Lake St., Burbank Fire Marshal P.K. Spooner said. A spokeswoman at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank said Downum died at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Spooner said the fire, which broke out about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, apparently started when Downum fell asleep while smoking in bed. Downum tried to flee the house but mistakenly ran into the bathroom, where he was found by firemen, the spokesman said.

Downum, who was retired, shared the single-family house with Carrol Holtz, 81, who was sitting on the porch when the fire broke out, Spooner said. Holtz tried unsuccessfully to rescue Downum, Spooner said. He was not injured.

Spooner said the destroyed home was at least 60 years old. Damages were estimated at $65,000.