Investigation continues over ‘suspicious’ death in Citrus Heights house fire

By Sara Beth Williams–
The circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was found inside a burning home last month remain unclear.

Citrus Heights Police General Investigations Sergeant Eric Dias confirmed the identity of the man killed in a house fire on Oak Grove Avenue on June 7 as 61-year-old George Benson. The death is being called suspicious, according to the Police Department. Sacramento County Coroner’s Office records confirm the victim’s identity and date of passing. The cause of death is listed as undetermined.

Sacramento Metro Fire District and the Police Department responded to 7545 Oak Grove Ave. off Auburn Boulevard on June 7, just before noon and arrived to find a fire in progress. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased person was found inside the home. No other structures were threatened or damaged during the fire.

A Sacramento Metro Fire District Fire Incident Report obtained by The Sentinel indicates that engines arrived to find “a one-story house with heavy fire coming from the front window and front door on the Alpha side.”

While putting out the fire, crews discovered a deceased victim inside the living room of the residence. Primary and secondary searches were completed, and there were no other victims, according to the report.

Signs of multiple fire starts were noted by the interior crews, the report reads. After the scene was stabilized, Command ordered all personnel out of the building to maintain the integrity of the scene for investigation. Arson and Police investigators were called in to investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deceased.

Metro Fire officials confirmed with The Sentinel on Friday that the fire is being investigated as arson at this time.

Oak Grove Avenue was blocked off for hours following the scene of the fire, while investigators continued working throughout the day. Dias said in the weeks following the fire, the Police Department spent time interviewing people and collecting evidence in order to determine what happened.

Dias told The Sentinel on July 19 that the Police Department is seeking more public information regarding the unsolved case and is asking anyone who has information to contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers, at 1-800-AA-CRIME. Residents can also submit anonymous tips through the Crime Stopper’s website. The Citrus Heights Police Department also has a tip line, which residents can call, at 916-727-5524.

Family members of Benson declined to provide a comment to The Sentinel.