Crime & Safety

Update: Investigators Believe Park Burning Death Was Accidental

LAFD's Investigation Section is now handling the case.

Update: Arson Investigator Dan Gaytan of the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that investigators believe the burning death of a man whose body was discovered in Highland Park last Friday was accidental.

"There doesn't appear to be any foul play," Gaytan told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch. "The cause of death appears to be smoke inhalation and thermal burns."

He added that investigators have confirmed that the man who died was homeless and are waiting to confirm his identity with the coroner's office. 

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Gaytan declined to share precise information about how the fire was started, saying that investigators would first need to peak to the deceased's family.

Contrary to previous police reports, which had placed the incident at Arroyo Seco Park near the intersection of Avenue 60 and the Route 110 South exit, Gayton said the man's body was discovered just north of the intersection of Avenue 60 and Benner Street.

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"We accessed the body through the park, but the incident didn't actually occur in the park," Gaytan said.

Previously: Investigators believe the burning death of a man early Friday morning was accidental, according to LAPD Officer Curtis Davis.

Davis--who was briefed on the incident and provided an update to Patch--said the investigation has been taken over by the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson Investigation Section. 

"They believe the fire was accidentally sparked by a lantern or some sort of lighting device," Davis said.

According to Sgt. Sanford Rosenberg, the man's body was discovered at around 5:30 a.m. last Friday at Arroyo Drive and Avenue 60 near Arroyo Seco Park--also known as Hermon Park.

LAPD was unable to provide identification for the deceased.

Check back with Patch for more details as we get them.


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