Deadly Seal Beach Fire Ruled an Arson

SEAL BEACH, CA - A fire that killed a 67-year-old Seal beach man and his dog has been rule an arson and is being investigated as a homicide, investigators announced Monday.

Firefighters found the body of John Donnelly at his home early Sunday morning in the 200 block of 17th Street. The duplex where Donnelly lived was engulfed in flames.

“The most probable cause of this fire was an incendiary device used to ignite combustibles outside the home, which extended into the residence,” Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Philip Gonshak said. “This incident is now being considered a violation of California Penal Code 451 - Arson. Furthermore, we are still waiting for the autopsy results from the Orange County Coroner's Office, and we will now be moving forward with a homicide investigation of Mr. John Donnelly.”

There are currently no suspects in the case, said Gonshak.

Anyone with information related to the incident should contact Seal Beach Police Detective Pete Krok at (562) 799-4100, Ext. 1110.

The fire inside the two-story duplex was well-involved when firefighters responded to the scene at 12:15 a.m., according to OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi.

"Firefighters found one man dead in the second floor apartment as they were battling the fire," Concialdi said. "The man's dog was found nearby him dead as well."

"There were three other people living in the downstairs apartment, but they were able to get out of the duplex safely," Concialdi continued.

About 60 firefighters from the OCFA and Huntington Beach battled the blaze, Concialdi said. A knockdown was declared at 1:35 a.m., more than an hour after the fire was first reported.

Police evacuated nearby houses because of the amount of flame and smoke coming from the home, he added.

No other injuries were reported.

The fire caused an estimated $500,000 damage to the duplex's structure and about $20,000 damage to its contents, Concialdi added.

City News Service contributed to this report.