OXNARD : Man Staying With Mother Dies in Fire

A man who was staying with his mother at an Oxnard senior citizens apartment complex died when a fire engulfed the woman’s living room, Oxnard Fire Department officials said Wednesday.

The early morning fire also prompted the evacuation of the building for up to two hours.

Floyd Noland, 40, died of smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation in the fire at 541 W. 9th St., Ventura County Deputy Coroner Jim Wingate said.

His mother, Floy Noland, escaped without injury, Oxnard Fire Chief Clarence Slayton said.

Cheri Doemer, assistant manager at the 16-unit apartment building, said about 20 people were evacuated.

Two units next to Floy Noland’s apartment were damaged by smoke and water, causing relocation of the occupants to a hotel, Doemer said.

The Oxnard Fire Department responded to the 1:50 a.m. call with three engines, one truck and rescue apparatus, Slayton said.

The fire, which was under control by 2 a.m., caused about $20,000 in structural damage and an estimated $5,000 in damage to personal belongings, Slayton said.

The victim’s mother told fire officials that she was awakened by the fire detector and rushed to the living room, where the couch was ablaze and her son’s clothing in flames, Slayton said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, Slayton said, adding that the victim was a smoker.