Burglar stuck in home’s chimney dies after homeowner lights fire

Police say a suspected burglar died after
becoming stuck in the chimney of a California
home Saturday afternoon when the unsuspecting
homeowner lit a fire.
Fresno County Sheriff's Lt. Brandon Pursell
said a homeowner in the rural town of
Huron heard someone yell after lighting a
fire in his fireplace.
Pursell said the homeowner called 911 and
also tried to put out the fire as his house
began to fill with smoke.
Firefighters who rushed to the chaotic
scene used jackhammers to break open the
brick chimney in an attempt to rescue the
man.
However, the suspected burglar, who was
not immediately identified, had died during
the attempted rescue.

Pursell said the man was responsive during
the rescue and appeared to be breathing
and moving inside of the chimney.
According to KFSN, a preliminary
investigation showed that the man had
climbed into the chimney sometime
overnight to burglarize the home when he
became stuck.
A day later, the homeowner lit the fire not
knowing that anyone was inside the
chimney.
The Fresno County coroner removed the man's
body from the scene and an autopsy will be
conducted Sunday to determine both his identity
and cause of death, KFSN reported.
Police say the investigation into the incident is
ongoing.