Detectives conducting death, arson investigation in Phelan

PHELAN, Calif. - Detectives with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday were conducting a death and arson investigation within the city of Phelan.

Around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, a deputy from the Victor Valley Sheriff's Station was on patrol when he saw a shed on fire in the 8600 block of Phelan Road.  

Fire personnel responded to the location and extinguished the fire, during which time authorities discovered an adult male on the ground just outside the shed. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His identity was not released pending family notification.

As homicide and bomb and arson detectives were investigating, they learned that the victim was living in the shed without the homeowner's permission.

Authorities said that the homeowners were not home when the fire occurred.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, sheriff's officials said. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Detectives were asking anyone with information related to this incident contact the homicide detail, Detective Mike Cleary at 909-387-3589 or sheriff's dispatch at 909-387-8313. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.