Van Nuys Man Dies in Apartment Fire

A 43-year-old Van Nuys man died in an apartment fire Saturday, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Jay Simon was found dead in his bedroom in the 6200 block of Coldwater Canyon Avenue Saturday morning, firefighters said.

The fire began in Simon’s bedroom about 6:25 a.m. and was extinguished about 15 minutes later, department spokesman Bob Collis said. Simon’s parents were in an adjoining bedroom, but escaped injury.

“The smoke detectors woke up his parents. They located the fire in his room. They tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but were unsuccessful,” he added.

When the fire was put out, Simon “was found dead, fully clothed, by the door.”

The fire caused about $1,000 in damage to the structure and about $300 to the contents, Collis said.

Collis said the man’s death appeared to be an accident, but the exact cause of the fire is still being determined. Collis did not know if Simon was a smoker.