Deadly Washington Fire Called Suspicious

Feb. 14, 2007
Investigators are calling a fire that led to a Lakewood man?s death suspicious.

Investigators are calling a fire that led to a Lakewood mans death suspicious.

Flames erupted at the home near Lakewood Towne Center at about 4:30 a.m Tuesday.

A man believed to be the 55-year-old owner of the home died in the fire.

Police and fire officials are investigating the fire as a possible suicide or murder.

Investigators said they are focused on a Toyota Rav-4 in the back yard of the victims home that they said was supiciously close to the house.

There was a hose that went from the car to the house from the exhaust pipe, said Lt. David Guttu with Lakewood police.

The hose was the same kind found on the back of a clothes dryer.

Investigators said they are keeping an open mind and letting the evidence guide them.

Authorities said they plan on fingerprinting the hose.

The victim was found dead in the homes bedroom after firefighters arrived to find the back of the house ablaze.

Neighbor Jim Falk said the man who died had lived there alone for more than 20 years and doesnt think he had any enemies.

Looking back, though, Falk said his neighbor had become less social over the past few months.

Official identification is expected to come from the medical examiner in the next few days.

Police havent confirmed if the SUV belonged to the 55-year-old homeowner, but neighbors said it was the mans vehicle.

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