Elderly Warren Man Found Dead After House Fire

WARREN (WWJ) - Firefighters responding to a burning home in Warren made a disturbing discovery amid the charred debris when they came across the elderly homeowner's body.

The fire was reported around 8:10 a.m. Wednesday at a home on LaSalle Boulevard, in a neighborhood near 8 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue.

Battalion Fire Chief Gene Sitek said it took about 15 minutes to knock down the fire, which turned out to be anything but routine.

"The first crew went in and found the body. They pulled him out and they started CPR and noticed he had a gunshot wound to the neck," Sitek told WWJ's Ron Dewey. "So they pronounced him dead on the scene."

Sitek said burn patterns were visible throughout the house with signs that an accelerant was possibly used to ignite the blaze, which originated in the kitchen.

Investigators aren't sure if the man's death was a suicide or if foul play was involved.

An investigation is ongoing.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.