Investigation underway after 65-year-old man dies in RV fire in Exposition Park

EXPOSITION PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A homeless man is dead after witnesses say someone threw an object at his RV, causing it to catch fire in Exposition Park.

Officers responded to Budlong Avenue just before 11:30 p.m. Monday after receiving a call about the fire, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim, identified by family as 65-year-old Jerry Israel, died at the scene. Eyewitness News was told he lived in the RV with the woman who owns it.

Witnesses reported seeing someone throw something at the RV right before it caught fire, police said. The suspect was last seen running away on foot.

Neighbors also recalled hearing a commotion outside before the RV went up in flames.

"Some people were arguing. Some guy came out of the motor home, chasing him with a stick... The guy must've came back again, called the police... they cuffed the guy, I didn't see much what happened after that," said Lionel Urbina. "A couple of hours after that, the whole camper was on fire."

No other details were available, but police are investigating the incident to determine if it was a homicide or simply an accident.