Homicide suspected after firefighters find body in burning Sacramento home; arson arrest made
Sacramento police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of arson at a south Sacramento home in which another man’s body was found by firefighters.
Police officers were called just after 7:35 p.m. Tuesday to the 7500 block of Handly Way in the Meadowview neighborhood for reports of a fire in progress, officers said. A caller told dispatchers that someone in the front yard lit the fire, according to archived radio dispatches reviewed by The Sacramento Bee.
Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said crews arrived to the approximately 1,117-square-foot home to see it engulfed in heavy flames. An accelerant or another similar substance may have been used to ignite the flames, Sylvia said, who noted the fire was “suspicious” in nature to crews.
Firefighters then found one man’s body inside the home. Two men who were inside the home escaped, authorities said.
“The circumstances of the incident remain under investigation,” police said.
Police arrested a 28-year-old man who faces murder and arson causing great bodily injury felony charges, booking records show. He’s being held without bail.
The suspect was also arrested on suspicion of an unrelated warrant and facing a misdemeanor burglary charge in this case. He’s being held with $500 bail in this incident.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office was expected to identify the victim, pending next-of-kin notification.
Sacramento fire arson investigators will pinpoint the cause of the fire, while police detectives conduct the homicide investigation. Sylvia said flames caused extensive damage to the home’s front, but crews were able to stop further damage to the back of the residence.
The first court appearance for the suspect is scheduled for Thursday.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
