Nov. 28--A man who apparently got stuck in the chimney of a Huron home during a botched burglary attempt died Saturday after the homeowners lit a fire in the fireplace, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said.
Lt. Brandon Pursell said deputies received a 911 call to the 16000 block of West Gale Avenue just before 3 p.m. After lighting a fire, the male homeowner heard screaming coming from somewhere inside the house.
When the resident realized a person was in the chimney, he extinguished the fire. Deputies and firefighters had to smash the chimney to get the man out. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Fresno County coroner will perform an autopsy to confirm a cause of death. The man's identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
Investigators believe he had attempted to break into the home sometime during the evening hours of Nov. 27.
He had remained in the chimney all day.
Pursell said the home suffered smoke damage in addition to the busted chimney.
Rory Appleton: 559-441-6015, @RoryDoesPhonics ___
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