Crime & Safety

Man Acquitted Of Murder & Arson Charges From Deadly WeHo Fire

After spending more than three years behind bars, a man was acquitted on charges of starting a fire in West Hollywood that left one dead.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – A man was free Monday after spending more than three years behind bars following his acquittal on charges of starting a fire at a vacant commercial building in West Hollywood that left one person dead.

A jury on Thursday found Andrew Clark, 38, not guilty of murder and arson causing great bodily injury. Clark was released from Men's Central Jail early Friday morning, according to sheriff's online jail records.

The fire that broke out late on the night of May 20, 2015, in the 9000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard killed 53-year-old Eric Young.

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Firefighters found Young in the burning building and he was taken to a hospital, where he died of smoke inhalation, according to coroner's records that listed the effects of methamphetamine as another significant factor in his death.

It took roughly an hour to knock down the blaze. Sheriff's deputies said both men were homeless and fire investigators determined the fire had been deliberately set.

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City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock

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