MEINERS OAKS : Rejection of License Urged for Facility

A state agency is recommending against renewing the license of an Ojai Valley board-and-care facility where a 73-year-old man was fatally burned in November, officials said Monday.

State officials said they found five violations of the state Health and Safety Code at the Shangri-La Guest Home in Meiners Oaks during a three-month investigation that began after the Nov. 9 death of Victor Rose.

“We’re very concerned because there was a death at this facility,” said Dianne Kryter, district manager for the state Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Agency. “There are questions that have not been satisfactorily answered regarding this elderly gentleman’s death.”

Authorities said Rose died the day after he had apparently set fire to his room while smoking in bed. Rose received burns over 90% of his body, authorities said. Fire officials said the smoke detector in the converted garage had been disconnected or knocked loose.

Although district officials from the state licensing agency are recommending against renewing the license, which comes due in March, the recommendation is subject to approval by state licensing lawyers, Kryter said.

Shangri-La operator Celestina Pascual, who runs two similar facilities in Simi Valley, has the right to appeal the final decision, Kryter said.