Elderly Man Dies In Condo Fire Near Beverly Hills
PICO-ROBERTSON (CBSLA) – A 91-year-old man died Tuesday morning in a fire at a two-story condominium in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood nearly Beverly Hills.
The fire was reported at 9:52 a.m. in the 800 block of South Bedford Street.
The victim was discovered inside with critical fire-caused injuries, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. His name was not released.
"He was a real eccentric, interesting person," neighbor Barbara Zimmerman told CBS2.
Other neighbors told CBS2 the victim tended to hoard items in his apartment unit, perhaps making it more difficult to exit the apartment.
Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames within about 15 minutes.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are under investigation. The exact cause of the man's death was also not immediately confirmed.
Authorities said the lack of any working smoke alarms could be key .
"The fact that there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm makes us all want to ensure that when we go home to our family and loved ones that we have smoke alarms outside the bedrooms, on all levels of the home," LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said.