By Daily Press staff
TORRANCE — The man pulled from his burning home in Ocean Park by neighbors died on Wednesday.
James Burry, 66, was listed in critical condition late Wednesday afternoon while doctors were working on him. He died at 5:50 p.m. at Torrance Medical Center’s burn center.
The fire broke out at 8:17 a.m. at 1000 Wilson Place after Burry fell asleep on the couch with a lit cigarette, according to fire department officials.
Neighbors rushed to the scene before 24 firefighters arrived. Neighbors Cal Prouty and Christopher Wilson attempted to crawl into the smoke-filled home through the front door with the aid of a garden hose, but the building was too hot and smoky. Wilson then entered the house from the backdoor. Within 15 feet, he found Burry lying on a pile of books and newspapers with flames surrounding him. He dragged the unconscious Burry out of the house, and paramedics transferred him to Saint John’s Health Care Center. Burry was then transported to Torrance Medical Center.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 10, 2004. Read the original PDF.