Man Burned in Fire at Care Facility Dies

A 73-year-old man who was burned in a fire at an Ojai Valley board-and-care facility died Friday morning.

Meanwhile, state and county officials said they were investigating whether the facility violated building and safety codes.

Victor Rose, who lived in a converted garage in the Shangri-La Guest Home in Meiners Oaks, suffered burns over 90% to 95% of his body when he accidentally set fire to his room while smoking in bed Thursday morning.

He was taken to the Sherman Oaks Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m.

Officials of the Department of Social Services and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said they are looking into the incident.

“The preliminary indications are there might not have been a building permit to convert the garage,” said Ronald Laux, the residential program supervisor for community care licensing.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Odle added: “I have not found anything yet I can say is a violation . . . But we’re staying on top of it.”

The owner of the facility, Celestina Pascual, refused to comment.

The residential facility has been cited by the state five times this year for violations of safety and maintenance regulations.

According to fire investigators, Rose probably fell asleep and either his clothing or bedding caught fire.

The man, who used a walker, was probably unable to move quickly when he became aware of the flames, they said.