Crime

Fresno police investigating body found in house fire

The body of a man with multiple stab wounds was found in a home on Van Ness Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2015 as firefighters battled a blaze at the home.
The body of a man with multiple stab wounds was found in a home on Van Ness Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2015 as firefighters battled a blaze at the home. rappleton@fresnobee.com

Fresno police are investigating the suspicious death of a man who was discovered on Wednesday at a house on Van Ness Avenue just north of Belmont Avenue.

Fresno police Lt. Joe Gomez said a white man in his 50s was found around 3:15 p.m. by Fresno firefighters inside a burning house. The man had multiple stab wounds to his abdomen and upper back. He was not responsive when firefighters found him. He was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

It is unclear whether he died as a result of the stab wounds or the blaze, which damaged much of the home at 648 N. Van Ness. Investigators also looking into the cause of the fire.

No one else was found inside the building, and neighbors have not come forward to offer any information.

Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Fresno police investigating body found in house fire."

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