Friends Struggle with Loss of Man Killed in Van Nuys Garage Fire

Friends and neighbors of a man killed in a garage fire in Van Nuys early Saturday were shaken up after they attempted to battle the blaze that ultimately claimed his life.

Eli Garcia, the best friend of Danny, a man in his 50s who had lived in the detached garage in the 14200 block of Victory Boulevard for 14 years, attempted to rescue him from the fire just after 4:30 a.m.

Garcia tried to pull his friend from the burning garage by the legs, and neighbor Emmanuel Navarro used his garden hose in an effort to extinguish the blaze, but the fire quickly became impossible to fight.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire within about 15 minutes, but Danny was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire also destroyed a nearby camper where two residents were able to flee without injuries.

Garcia, 42, suffered minor burns to his arms after attempting to rescue his best friend.

"The gentleman that tried to rescue the occupant was overcome by heat and smoke and had to abandon the rescue," said Capt. Daniel Curry with LAFD.

Though the cause of the garage fire was under investigation, neighbors said they believe Danny may have been using candles in place of electricity. Renters of the house next to the garage said they were once without power for seven months.