Local News

Police: Man shot to death before house fire

An autopsy has determined that a man found dead inside a burning house early Saturday was shot before the fire was started, Fayetteville police said Monday.

Posted 2009-10-19T15:31:33+00:00 - Updated 2009-10-19T15:07:00+00:00

Firefighters found the body of a man after extinguishing a fire at a house at 118 Cedar Creek Road, in southeastern Fayetteville early Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, police said.

A man found dead inside a burning house early Saturday was shot before the fire was started, Fayetteville police said Monday.

The fire had engulfed the house at 1118 Cedar Creek Road, at Community Drive, by the time police arrived around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters put out the blaze, then found the man's body inside.

An autopsy determined that the man died of gunshot wounds, police spokeswoman Theresa Chance said. The medical examiner is working to identify him.

Initially, police said it appeared that a faulty propane home heating system had caused an explosion and fire.