Homeless Man Set On Fire in Ventura Ruled Accidental
The Ventura Police Department has determined that a fire that left a homeless man with severe burns back in January, was accidental.
On January 17, 2015, Ventura police officers responded to a call of a burn victim on the beach at the south end of Seaward Avenue. Officers located 58-year-old John Frazier seated near his burned sleeping bag suffering from severe burns to his upper torso and face.
At the time, Frazier told investigators that three white men in their late teens or early 20’s with shaved heads, and in dark clothing, had attacked him by dousing him with lighter fluid. Investigators, however, did not find any evidence to support Frazier’s account of the incident.
During a follow-up interview, police said that Frazier was uncooperative with investigators, and also changed his account of the incident. Additionally, detectives received information from a witness that contradicted Frazier’s initial statement and raised doubts about this being a criminal act.
Detectives with the Ventura Police Department continued with the investigation, and recruited help from Ventura City and County Fire investigators, to analyze the burn pattern of the sleeping bag fabric, and Frazier’s clothing.
“After extensive testing, it was determined that the fire most likely started inside the bag, and the bag burned from the inside out. In addition, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Crime Lab tested the fabric for accelerants, and no accelerants were found on the fabric,” said the Ventura Police Department in a statement released to the media.
“As a result of the investigation, it was determined that this incident was likely accidental,” read the statement.
Frazier continues to be treated for his injuries at the USC Medical Center, and is expected to recover.
