An alleged domestic violence suspect was reportedly found dead inside a Woodland Hills townhome that became engulfed in flames while he was barricaded inside, causing firefighters to put out the flames from outside the unit and protect surrounding units, authorities said Monday.
The situation reportedly began about 3:15 p.m. Sunday when a woman went to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Station to report that she was a victim of domestic violence, a police spokesman said.
Officers responded to the townhome at 5720 N. Owensmouth Ave., north of Burbank Boulevard and east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and the 46-year-old man suspected in the case did not comply with efforts to take him into custody, the spokesman said. He remained in the home.
A SWAT team arrived at 7:17 p.m. after it was determined he had legally registered firearms in his home, the officer said.
Firefighters were on standby until flames broke out, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jamie Stewart said.
Firefighters took up defensive positions, attempting to flood the fire with water from outside, Stewart said. “Shots are being fired and heavy smoke from the two-story townhome with three units,” he said. It was unclear who or what the suspect was firing at.
“The middle unit is involved with fire,” Stewart said.
News video from the scene showed the second floor of the unit fully involved in flames.
It appeared the fire was out in subsequent videos and sometime after a search of the unit, crews found the human remains.
An arson investigation was underway, the LAPD spokesman said.