Investigators from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office
responded and were assisted at the scene by Arson Investigators from the
California Department of Forestry.
Based on the evidence found at the scene, it appears the decedent was
using the candle, a fire starter and paper to start a fire and inadvertently
ignited his pants. The evidence at the
scene indicates the decedent attempted to exit the residence but was not
successful. The decedent was identified
as the resident, Darroll Michael McLaughlin, 79. It was determined that the 911 caller was
McLaughlin’s son, who dialed 911 after discovering his father. A forensic examination of the decedent was
scheduled to determine the cause and manner of death.
Wednesday, 03 January 2007 05:46
Pioneer Man Dies After Attempting To Start A Fire
On Thursday December 28, 2006 at approximately 1031
hours, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call with an open line
and a male voice heard yelling in the background. Amador
County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the residence located at 26991 Hwy 88 in
Pioneer and arrived at 1039 hours.
American Legion Ambulance personnel, Amador Fire Protection District and
California Department of Forestry personnel also responded. Upon the arrival of
deputies a decedent, who had suffered thermal injuries, was found lying in an
open doorway. The door led outside to
the snow covered deck. Burnt paper, a
fire starter and a candle were located at the door to the wood stove
approximately eight feet from where the decedent was located.
Investigators from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office
responded and were assisted at the scene by Arson Investigators from the
California Department of Forestry.
Based on the evidence found at the scene, it appears the decedent was
using the candle, a fire starter and paper to start a fire and inadvertently
ignited his pants. The evidence at the
scene indicates the decedent attempted to exit the residence but was not
successful. The decedent was identified
as the resident, Darroll Michael McLaughlin, 79. It was determined that the 911 caller was
McLaughlin’s son, who dialed 911 after discovering his father. A forensic examination of the decedent was
scheduled to determine the cause and manner of death.
