Fatal motel fire caused by smoker who likely overdosed in bed, police say

A man found dead inside a burning motel room in Oceanside on Monday night was believed to have died after overdosing while smoking in bed, Oceanside police said.

The fire was reported at the Motel 6 on Plaza Drive near College Boulevard shortly before 11:50 p.m. When firefighters from both Oceanside and Vista fire departments arrived they found a hotel room in flames, but the fire did not spread to any other parts of the building, said Oceanside Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Brandt.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and found a body inside the room, Brandt said.

A police spokesperson said investigators believe the man, who was 76, overdosed while smoking and set his bed on fire. Drug paraphernalia was discovered inside the home, she said. It was not known what substance he was smoking before he died.

The man was alone at the motel, she said. His name was not immediately released.