Investigation continues into ‘suspicious’ death in Citrus Heights house fire – Citrus Heights Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
The circumstances surrounding the death of a man found in a burning house last month remain unclear.

Citrus Heights Police General Investigations Sergeant Eric Dias confirmed the identity of the man who died in a house fire on Oak Grove Avenue on June 7 as 61-year-old George Benson. Police are calling the death suspicious. Records from the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the victim and the date of death. The cause of death is unknown.

Sacramento Metro Fire District and police responded to 7545 Oak Grove Ave. near Auburn Boulevard just before noon on June 7 and found a fire. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased person was found inside the home. No other structures were threatened or damaged in the fire.

A report from the Sacramento Metro Fire District obtained by The Sentinel states that fire trucks arrived on scene to find “a one-story home with heavy fire coming from the front window and front door on the Alpha side.”

While extinguishing the fire, crews discovered a deceased victim in the living room of the residence. Primary and secondary searches were completed and there were no other victims, the report said.

Signs of multiple fires were noted by interior crews, the report said. After the scene was stabilized, Command ordered all personnel to leave the building to maintain the integrity of the scene for investigation. Arson and police detectives were called to investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deceased.

Metro Fire officials confirmed to The Sentinel on Friday that the fire is currently being investigated for arson.

Oak Grove Avenue was blocked for hours after the fire as investigators worked throughout the day. Dias said police spent the weeks after the fire interviewing people and gathering evidence to determine what happened.

Dias told The Sentinel on July 19 that police are looking for more public information about the unsolved case and are asking anyone with information to contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-AA-CRIME. Residents can also submit anonymous tips through the Crime Stopper website. The Citrus Heights Police Department also has a tip line that residents can call at 916-727-5524.

Benson’s family members declined to comment to The Sentinel.