Las Vegas news briefs for March 26, 2001

Monday, March 26, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

Man found dead in bed

A 78-year-old man was found dead after a condominium fire Sunday morning that also killed two dogs and two birds.

Las Vegas and Clark County firefighters, who arrived at the the Quail Estates West apartments, 2851 S. Valley View, about 10:15 a.m., found smoke and flames coming from the condo, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

After firefighters extinguished the flames in about 10 minutes, they found the victim dead in a bed, with obvious burns.

"I think that his wife tried to go in and get him, because she was covered in soot," Szymanski said. "The smoke and fire kept her from getting to him."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the victim's wife did tell fire officials that her husband had a habit of smoking in bed, Szymanski said. About $40,000 in damage was caused.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death, and if it is ruled that the victim died because of the blaze it will be the fourth fatal fire in the city of Las Vegas this year. Last year a total of three people died in fires.

Reed leaves top position

Jan Marie Reed, head of the health insurance program for state workers and their dependents for the past 18 months, has resigned for personal reasons from the $90,000-a-year job.

Mike Oswalt, operations officer for the Public Employees Benefits Program, will assume day-to-day responsibilities.

The program has been involved in growing controversy, with some state workers, including Nevada Highway Patrol officers, wanting to pull out of the system. The system was near insolvency two years ago but has slowly recovered and has been able to enhance some benefits.

Board Chairman Laurie England said Friday recruitment would begin immediately to replace Reed.

French fries lead to blaze

A 75-year-old resident and a Las Vegas firefighter are recovering from minor burns sustained in a house fire in western Las Vegas Friday.

Both were taken to University Medical Center as a precaution, and were treated and released. The fire started about 12:15 p.m. inside the kitchen of a home at 6432 Brandywine Way, near Torrey Pines Drive and Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

The 75-year-old man was cooking french fries with grease, and left the kitchen for a short time, returning to find that a fire had started. The resident attempted to put out the fire and suffered first and second degree burns to his head and face.

A firefighter suffered minor first degree burns to his neck while fighting the fire. Damage was estimated at $75,000, Szymanski said.

Girl, 3, dies in backyard pool

A 3-year-old girl drowned in a backyard pool just before noon on Sunday in northwest Las Vegas.

The drowning happened at a home in the 3400 block of St. Aiden Street, near Gowan and Fort Apache Roads, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Paige Bowser, 3, who was visiting from out of state, was found by her twin sister.

Apple product may be tainted

Fresh Products Northwest is recalling its "Crunch Pak" Fresh Sliced Apple packages in 17 states because of possible bacterial contamination.

Recent samples show some packages may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the company said on Saturday.

The organism can cause serious or fatal infections in children, and the sick and elderly. The product was distributed to wholesalers and retailers in Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.