Athens man, 52, found dead in burning van

A 52-year-old Athens man was found dead inside a burning van Sunday night, officials said.

Ricky Brown was identified by Athens-Clarke County police after firefighters found his body on Danielsville Road once they had extinguished the van blaze, which had spread to a house. Foul play is not suspected in Brown’s death, according to police spokesman Lt. Shaun Barnett.

Athens-Clarke County Fire & Emergency Services responded to the home just before 11 p.m., the agency said in an announcement. The van was fully engulfed in flames, so responding firefighters focused on controlling the blaze in the house and searching it for victims. No other injuries were reported, according to county officials.

After controlling the house fire, firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire and found Brown’s body inside.

Investigators said they believe the fire began in the van. Brown’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab to determine the cause of death.

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