Updated at 2:30 p.m., April 25, 2015
Firefighters Saturday found a terrified and burned man trying to break out of a locked tire shop, which had been torched with Molotov cocktails, but the man died from burns.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives were called to investigate the fire and the man’s death. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
A firefighter suffered minor, second degree burns while trying to rescue the man and battle the fire, at 1252 N. Santa Anita Ave., a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher said.
Crews were dispatched to the tire store at 5:27 a.m. had the fire out at 6:26 a.m., he said. Paramedics rushed the firefighter to an area hospital.
A caller gave authorities information that Molotov cocktails were thrown at the location, said Deputy Guillermina Saldana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
“Deputies and fire department personnel saw a man within the business compound and behind the heavily locked gates of the location, badly burned and trying escape the fire,” Saldana said.
“Despite rescue personnel’s efforts to rescue the victim, he was overcome by flames and succumbed to his injuries,” she said. “He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Saldana said witnesses reported seeing a white “Silverado” pickup truck leaving the scene at the time of fire.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives asked anyone with any information regarding the fire or the fatality to call them at (323) 890-5500.
—City News Service