World War II Hero Found Dead Inside Fire-Ravaged Mount Washington Home
MOUNT WASHINGTON (CBSLA.com) — A man found dead Friday inside a fire-ravaged Mount Washington home was identified by relatives as an 89-year-old World War II hero.
The resident was allegedly found after firefighters extinguished a blaze around 10 p.m. Friday in the 500 block of West Avenue 44.
A car in the driveway was also destroyed.
It took firefighters around 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
Crews went inside and found the body of Francisco Hernandez, according to relatives.
Hernandez took park in the Normandy invasion in World War II, staying in a foxhole for a week after coming ashore. He was awarded a Purple Heart for suffering a gunshot wound to his leg, Hernandez's niece Maya Hoo told the Los Angeles Times.
Officials have not yet detailed what started the fire.
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