Man Killed In Winnetka Garage Fire

WINNETKA (CBSLA.com) — A man was found dead inside a charred garage following an early morning fire in the San Fernando Valley.

The fire was reported at 4 a.m. in the 7900 block of Sunnybrae Avenue in Winnetka, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

It took more than 30 firefighters 17 minutes to extinguish the fire, which was burning in pack rat-like conditions.

"During a systematic search of the charred garage, sadly an adult male was found beyond medical help and was determined dead," officials said in a statement.

The 61-year-old victim's identity was not released.

"In examining the fire's aftermath, there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm within the garage," authorities added.

LAFD arson investigations were trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Damage was estimated at $30,000.