Man Accidentally Lights Self On Fire, Dies In Santa Rosa: Police

SANTA ROSA, CA — A man apparently accidentally lit himself on fire and died early Saturday morning in Santa Rosa, police said.

The Santa Rosa Police Department received several calls at 12:47 a.m. Saturday about a fire in the back parking lot of a local business in the 1200 block of Santa Rosa Avenue. Initially, it was unknown what was on fire, SRPD Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department also responded and quickly extinguished the fire that was engulfing a man.

"Surveillance footage from neighboring businesses provided a clear picture of what occurred," Mahurin said. "The deceased was seen to the rear of a local business using a lighter to consume a narcotic, possibly fentanyl. After using the narcotics, the male slumps to the ground and appears to fall asleep. Moments later, you can see his clothing smoldering then turn to flames over his body. Unfortunately, he was unable to extinguish the flames and did not survive the incident."

Authorities believe the man was homeless and possibly in his 40s or 50s, and were working to confirm his identity.

No foul play was suspected in his death.

"With the assistance of the Santa Rosa Fire Department, initial thoughts were that the victim had a flammable gel residue (possibly a chafing gel) on his hands and/or clothing that was ignited when he was using his lighter for narcotics," Mahurin said.