Sheriff: Man killed in fire was burglarizing home

ELDON (AP) - Authorities in central Missouri believe a man found dead in a house fire set the blaze to hide a burglary.

Firefighters found the body of 23-year-old Miller County resident Brent Comer the night of April 8 in the burned-out house near Eldon. An autopsy showed he died of smoke inhalation.

The Miller County sheriff's office said Monday investigators now believe Comer was burglarizing the unoccupied rental house and started a fire to cover up the crime. A gas can was found in the house near a stove.

Comer's car with his driver's license was parked outside the small house.