Local News in Brief : San Fernando Man Dies During Blaze
A 66-year-old San Fernando man died Sunday during a fire that authorities believe was started by a cigarette.
The victim, who was not identified, apparently had been smoking and either fell asleep or had lapsed into unconsciousness while sitting in a chair in his living room, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo. It was unclear whether the victim, who suffered from diabetes, had died as a result of the fire, Acevedo said.
No one else was inside the house, in the 1100 block of West Griffith Street, when the fire broke out shortly after noon.
It took 12 firefighters about 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze, Acevedo said.
No other injuries were reported. Damage to the house and its contents was estimated at $55,000.
Acevedo said an autopsy will be performed on the victim to determine the cause of his death.
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