Man's Dead Body Found In Car With Leaking Propane Bottles In Venice

VENICE, CA — A dead body of a man who had apparently died of accidental asphyxiation from leaking propane bottles was found inside a car in Venice late Wednesday night, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said.

The man, who LAFD believed to be an unhoused man approximately in his 70s, was reported unresponsive at 8:42 p.m. at 601 E. Venice Blvd. LAFD officials said small camping-style propane bottles connected to a heat lamp were found in the vehicle.

"While the exact circumstances are unknown, it appears to have been an unhoused man who was trying to stay warm in an enclosed space and, sadly, succumbed to accidental asphyxiation," said LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange.

Originally, due to condensation on the car's windows obstructing the view of the inside of the car, firefighters believed there were flammable substances in the car. A hazmat team responded to the scene due to the possible presence of flammable and hazardous materials, LAFD said.

After obtaining a better view of the inside of the car, LAFD firefighters discovered propane leaking from the small bottles, which ultimately led to the man's accidental death.

No fire was involved in the incident, LAFD officials said.