Man dies in deliberately set vehicle fire in Oakland
OAKLAND — A 30-year-old man died Friday morning from severe burns after the parked vehicle he was inside of was deliberately set on fire in the Fruitvale district, authorities said.
The man’s name was not immediately released, pending confirmation of his identity and notification of his next of kin.
The attack happened about 2:23 a.m.
Police said the man was inside a Honda SRV that was parked in a lot in the 1400 block of 35th Avenue. It was not immediately known if he was awake or asleep.
A man approached the vehicle and poured an unknown accelerant inside the vehicle through a partially open window before igniting it and then fleeing, authorities said.
The man inside was engulfed by flames but was able to run from the vehicle a short distance before collapsing, authorities said.
He died about 11 a.m. at a hospital.
A motive for the attack has not yet been determined. No arrests were announced.
The vehicle was destroyed in the fire. Police were trying to determine who owned it.
The killing is the 88th homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. Last time at this year police had investigated 87 homicides in the city.
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.