‘Suspicious’ death under investigation in South LA following tree fire

An arson investigation was underway in South Los Angeles after firefighters extinguished a tree fire on Thursday morning.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 500 block of E. Vernon Avenue in South LA’s Historic South-Central neighborhood around 5:30 a.m. following a report of a tree fire. Firefighters at the scene discovered the burning tree in an area of trash in an alleyway, along with a deceased body.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the victim's death were "suspicious." 

Arson investigators were called to the scene and the cause of death will be determined by the LA County office of the Medical Examiner. 

No further information was available. 

South Los AngelesCrime and Public Safety