Overview

• A fire broke out around 11:45 p.m. on July 28 at the Motel 6 on Plaza Drive and was contained to a single room
• Firefighters discovered a 76-year-old man dead inside the burning room and have not released his identity
• Drug paraphernalia found in the room led police to suspect the guest overdosed in bed and accidentally ignited his bedding
• Oceanside Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Brandt said crews extinguished the blaze in under three hours without it spreading
• Authorities continue investigating to determine if the overdose or the fire directly caused the man’s death