1 dead after fire at apartment building near USC campus

A person died after a fire was reported at an apartment building near USC's campus on Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

In a news release, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the blaze was reported before 1:50 p.m. at 2353 S. Portland Street, an off-campus apartment building for USC students.

According to the LAFD, the fire was located inside one unit of the three-story building. Firefighters knocked the fire down in 19 minutes and prevented it from spreading to other apartments. 

While investigating, firefighters found one person inside the affected unit. The person, who remains unidentified as of Tuesday afternoon, was pronounced dead at the scene. An LAFD spokesperson said firefighters found the victim, a man in his 50s, in a back bedroom. LAFD Captain Adam Ven Gerpen said investigators have not determined the point of origin, but most of the smoke and fire were in the bedroom area. 

An LAFD spokesperson said the building is not exclusive to USC students and people who do not attend the university live in the complex. 

His identity will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, pending notification to his next of kin.

The LAFD arson unit is investigating the cause, a standard procedure for fatal fires. No additional details were immediately made available.