Wilmington police identify homeless man killed in New Year’s Eve fire off Carolina Beach Road
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department has identified a homeless man killed during a small fire in a wooded area near Carolina Beach Road on New Year’s Eve.
Police said a fire was reported in the area off Carolina Beach Road and Medical Center Drive around 8:10 p.m. on Dec. 31.
When firefighters responded to the scene, they discovered the body of 58-year-old Michael Anthony Randall and called police.
Investigators believe Randall was intoxicated and sleeping in a scrap culvert pipe when a kerosene heater was accidentally ignited.
No one else was injured.
Officials say the area where the fire occurred has a known homeless encampment.
The northbound lanes of Carolina Beach Road were closed for an hour and a half while crews investigated.
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