San Diego Fire-Rescue Department: 1 dead in bed

Thursday, March 19, 2009

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department: 1 dead in bed

Man dies after cigarette starts fire in his home

2:00 a.m. March 19, 2009

SAN DIEGO: One man was killed yesterday morning when a fire sparked by a cigarette gutted the interior of his San Carlos home, firefighters said.

The victim was the sole occupant of the bungalow on Spruce Lake Avenue, south of Jackson Drive, said battalion chief John Fisher of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The man was found dead inside after the fire was extinguished, the Medical Examiner's Office said.

Fire investigators believe the blaze might have started while the victim was smoking in bed, said fire department spokesman Maurice Luque. Damage was estimated at $400,000.

The fire was reported shortly after 9:20 a.m. About 25 firefighters on four fire engines and one truck had the flames extinguished in about five minutes, Fisher said.

By then, however, the fire already had blown out windows and patio doors at the rear of the house and torn through the roof.

“This was a very hot fire, very intense,” Fisher said. –G.G.

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Thursday, March 19, 2009