Police are calling last Saturday’s Old Town residential fire an arson case. As of Monday afternoon, the Seal Beach Police Department officially began a homicide investigation into the death of John Donnelly, 67, whose body was found with that of his dog Eddie, a Jack Russell terrier, after firefighters extinguished a blaze in their 17th Street home. Donnelly’s name was released after his next of kin were notified of his death.
“The most probable cause of this fire was an incendiary device used to ignite combustibles outside the home, which extended into the residence,” according to Sgt. Phil Gonshak, acting operations Commander. The police are waiting for the autopsy results from the Orange County Coroner’s Office. The autopsy report may not be complete for weeks. As they wait for the results, police are moving ahead with a homicide investigation.
Police have no suspects and no motive for the crime. Gonshak asked that anyone with videos or information call the Police Department or the Fire Authority.
Units from the Fire Authority, the Los Angeles and Huntington Beach fire departments and the Seal Beach Police responded to the 17th Street residential fire shortly after midnight, Saturday, April 30.
According to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz, firefighters staged an aggressive interior attack on the fire before knocking it down.
After the fire was out, authorities found the bodies of Donnelly and Eddie. Capt. Kurtz said the fire caused $500,000 in damage to the house and another $20,000 worth of damage to the contents.
Initially, police and fire officials would only say they regarded the fire as suspicious. Kurtz said any fire that involves the death of an individual is going to get extreme scrutiny from the Fire Authority’s investigative unit.
Homicides are rare in Seal Beach. There haven’t been any since the Salon Meritage murders in October 2011. There was one homicide in each of the three years prior. Anyone with information about the case should call Seal Beach Police Detective Pete Krok at 562-799-4100 Ext. 1110.
