Death In Suspicious Westlawn Fire Ruled A Homicide
CHICAGO (STMW) -- The death of a 60-year-old man killed in a Saturday morning arson at his Southwest Side apartment has been ruled a homicide.
The man -- identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as 60-year-old James Moca -- was at the window of the two-story building at 4246 W. 63rd St. calling for help after the blaze started about 4:40 a.m. Saturday, according to Fire Media Affairs.
Firefighters located Moca close to the door of his apartment, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.
Maca was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. at Holy Cross Hospital, the medical examiner's office said. A Sunday autopsy determined he died from carbon monoxide intoxication and inhalation of smoke and soot from and apartment fire started via arson and the death was ruled a homicide.
There were two apartments in the building, both on the second floor, Langford said. The fire apparently started in the rear apartment, but no one was in that unit at the time and the smoke traveled down the hallway that runs between the two apartments, Langford said.
Smoke detectors in the building were working.
The Office of Fire Investigations found the blaze suspicious and the investigation has been turned over to Wentworth Area detectives and the police Bomb and Arson Unit. Police News Affairs Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said Sunday the investigation is ongoing.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
