Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating the death of a man who was found unconscious on May 21 inside a burning building in West Hollywood.

Firefighters extinguished a blaze in a vacant building in West Hollywood on May 21. Authorities are investigating the death of a man they said was a transient who was living inside the structure. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Authorities believe the unidentified victim was a transient who had been living inside the vacant structure at 9080 Santa Monica Blvd. The building, located just west of Doheny Drive, had been vacant for several years, according to Inspector Chris Reade, with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Witnesses called 911 shortly before midnight to report the blaze. Firefighters arrived to find “heavy smoke and flames” coming from the roof of the two-story structure, Reade said. Firefighters attempting to enter the building encountered “pack rat conditions” that hampered their efforts. After moving aside debris, they located the victim, who was in cardiac arrest.

“Firefighters dragged the person out to safety and did CPR,” Reade added. “They transported him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he died.”

Because of the debris inside the building, firefighters had a difficult time reaching the flames, which spread into the walls and attic, Reade said. The fire was extinguished at approximately 1 a.m. No cause or damage estimate was available.

Detectives with the sheriff’s department’s homicide bureau and arson/explosives detail are investigating the death to determine if foul play was involved, or if the victim accidentally started the fire. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact detectives at (323)890-5500.