62-year-old man found dead in blood at Somerton fire scene: Police

Sunday, March 7, 2021
Police investigating after man found dead at Somerton fire scene
Philadelphia police are investigating a possible homicide after a man was found dead at a fire scene in the city's Somerton section.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating a possible homicide after a man was found dead at a fire scene in the city's Somerton section.

The fire happened Friday just after 7 p.m. on the 11000 block of Greiner Road.

Officials say smoke was showing from a twin house on arrival.

A next-door neighbor smelled smoke inside the home and was able to open the front door where he found the homeowner, authorities said.

Officials say a 62-year-old man was discovered on the floor in a pool of blood, as two separate fires were said to have started on the 2nd floor and in the basement.

Both police on scene and a next-door neighbor said the victim, whose identity remains unknown, was released from prison within the last year.

That neighbor, Joseph Eloickal, told Action News he was friendly with the victim and shared what happened Friday night.

"We started to smell smoke inside our house. We looked through in our house to see if there was any fire. Since I couldn't find anything, I called my neighbor," said Eloickal. "Since he didn't answer, I called his brother to see if he was there. He told me to check the house and see if he was there. I had a spare key for the house and tried to open it, and that's when I realized that he was lying right in front of the door."

The fire marshal is currently investigating this incident.