One dead in Simi Valley shed fire

A man died after a shed caught fire outside a Simi Valley home Saturday morning, authorities said.

The fire was reported shortly before 5:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of Elvado Drive, according to Ventura County Fire Department reports. The block is in a residential area east of Madera Drive, south of Bonita Drive.

A shed in the side yard of a home had caught fire. The blaze engulfed a pa.m tree and spread to the main residence, according to the Simi Valley Police Department and county fire officials. Police officers were dispatched around 6:20 a.m. because of the suspected fatality.

A man who had been living in the shed was found dead inside it. The police department's initial investigation found no suspicious activity or evidence of foul play. The fire appeared to have been accidentally set by the victim, officials said. The man's name had not been released as of Monday afternoon pending positive identification and notification of next of kin, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.

The shed was completely destroyed. Two bedrooms in the main residence had moderate damage, officials sai

The cause had not been determined as of Monday afternoon, said county fire Capt. Brian McGrath. The incident displaced seven people, he said.

Separately, firefighters responded to another structure fire Saturday morning in Thousand Oaks. A motorhome that caught fire around 8:10 a.m. in the 3000 block of Willow Lane threatened two nearby homes as well as several vehicles, reports from the scene indicated. Crews reportedly kept the blaze contained to the motorhome and two vehicles. Two power lines in the area were down, radio traffic indicated.

More local news:Crews respond to fire at Simi Valley home

Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.

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