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.