Body found in garage behind burning house in Cranston
Cranston police said Tuesday that a body was found in a garage behind a house that caught fire.
The discovery was made Monday night shortly after 11:30 p.m. after firefighters knocked down a fire in the basement of a single-family home on Beckwith Street.
Investigators said no one was home at the time.
Chief of Cranston Police Michael J. Winquist, said a neighbor called, and believed they heard what sounded like a single gunshot before smelling smoke.
Police located an 80-year-old man inside the garage suffering from a single gunshot wound.
A firearm was found nearby.
The man was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said the home had been barricaded, and the fire appeared to have started in multiple spots.
Police said they believe the man intentionally set the house on fire before moving to the garage.
The manner and cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner, after an autopsy.