San Diego
A Serra Mesa man died early Sunday after cutting an artery in his arm as he smashed a bedroom window in an attempt to escape smoke from a burning stereo, authorities said.
Steve Carl Ransom, 38, a security guard for Greyhound-Trailways Lines, died at 3:01 a.m. at Sharp Memorial Hospital, a coroner’s deputy said.
Ransom, who lived at 2900 Cabrillo Mesa Drive, apparently lighted a candle and put it on the plastic stereo lid. The candle ignited the plastic, said Jim Smidt, a Fire Department investigator. Ransom, apparently disoriented by the smoke, tried to get out by smashing the window, instead of opening the burglary bars.
He cut an artery in his right arm and authorities believe he bled to death, Smidt said.
He said there were two other men and a woman in the single-family home, but they were not injured.
Smidt said the fire caused $18,000 damage to the home.
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