Local News in Brief : Body of Man Found in Burned-Out Garage

The body of a man, burned beyond recognition, was found Monday in a garage that had been destroyed by fire in Reseda, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Battalion Chief John Adams said the man, who appeared to be in his 60s, was found on his back in a charred, three-car garage in the 18700 block of Strathern Street. The fire broke out about 10:20 a.m. and was put out 10 minutes later by three engine companies. No other buildings were damaged.

William Sheffield, a coroner’s investigator, said the cause of death had not been determined.

The dead man’s name was not released pending notification of relatives.

Neighbors tried to put out the flames with garden hoses, but the fire quickly engulfed the wooden building. One of those who tried to fight the blaze was Angel Martinez, 15, who said he rushed to the garage after his grandmother saw smoke.

“There was nothing you could do,” Angel said. “It started like a match.”