Man Critically Burned in Fire at Duplex
A Van Nuys man was in critical condition Friday with burns on his head and upper body after a smoldering cigarette set his duplex on fire, authorities said.
The man, whose name and age were not released, was pulled out of the burning duplex in the 13900 block of Oxnard Street near Ranchito Avenue about 4:20 p.m. by two neighbors who saw smoke, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The man was being treated at the Sherman Oaks Community Hospital Burn Center, nurse Lolita Beguzman said.
Firefighters arrived about 4:20 p.m. and had the blaze out within 10 minutes, department spokesman Pat Marek said. The fire caused about $3,500 damage, including $2,000 to the structure and $1,500 to the contents, he said.
The two rescuers, Jose Brazatti and Ernesto Sandoval, pulled the victim out of the smoke-filled duplex before authorities arrived, Marek said.
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