Man Dies, Uncle Injured After Fire Breaks Out At Mid-City Duplex

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — One man died and his uncle was seriously injured in an early morning fire at a duplex in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles Friday.

The fire was reported at about 3:50 a.m. in the 1100 block of South Sycamore Avenue and out within 16 minutes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A 75-year-old man was in grave condition as he was taken to a hospital, where he died, the LAFD said. His name was withheld, pending notification of his family.

The man's 88-year-old uncle was also taken to a hospital, where he was in serious condition with smoke inhalation.

The men were alerted to the fire by functional smoke alarms, according to an LAFD statement. Two others inside the structure were not injured and are expected to return to their minimally damaged home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters found "excessive storage" conditions inside the 85-year-old building, which was not equipped with sprinklers.