Homeless man in LV injured by fire dies
A homeless man who suffered third-degree burns over most of his body died from his injuries Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Fire Department said.
Tim Szymanski, a Fire Department spokesman, said the middle-aged man died at University Medical Center. The coroner's office hadn't yet identified the man.
It hadn't been determined how the man received his burns, but Szymanski said he suspects careless smoking might be the culprit. Cigarettes and matches were found at the scene.
The man caught fire Tuesday about 2:30 p.m. on the 900 block of Commerce Street, an industrial area near Main Street, in downtown Las Vegas.
The man had been staying in a cardboard shelter near machinery used to operate the valley's water system.
David Saxe, owner of a show production company located near the scene, said he saw the homeless man about 30 minutes before the accident. Saxe recalled remarking to his colleague that he was impressed with the cardboard shelter the man built for himself.
"I remember thinking, man, that's a pretty elaborate set up," he said.
Saxe said the street is a haven for homeless people, but he didn't recognize the man as one of the regulars.
