Police suspect suicide in fire

Keith Paul

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

A 54-year-old man found dead in his bathtub is believed to have set his house on fire before killing himself this morning, Metro Police said.

Clark County firefighters were called to the 3700 block of Glow Drive near Alexander and Walnut roads about 4:35 a.m. for a house fire. When they got there they found the front door barricaded and obvious signs of arson, Robert Leinbach, county fire department spokesman, said.

Firefighters also found several containers of flammable liquid throughout the house. One firefighter was hit by an exploding shotgun shell, but he was not injured, Leinbach said.

The barricaded front door as well as ammunition exploding inside the house prevented firefighters from getting inside the house at first, Leinbach said.

Police suspect suicide, but the exact cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

"There are obvious self-inflicted wounds to the victim," Metro homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

The man's name was not released pending the notification of his family. He lived in the house alone, police said.

Firefighters were able to put the blaze out in 10 to 15 minutes. Most of the damage was in the garage and kitchen of the one-story house.

archive