Body of handicapped man, 68, found after apartment fire

PINEVILLE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an apartment fire that killed a disabled and ailing 68-year-old man.

Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says Robert Rivers’ body was found in the charred ruins of his apartment in a Pineville fourplex.

He says in a news release that flames were showing when city firefighters arrived about 4 a.m. Saturday.

Thompson says an autopsy will determine cause of death.

He says family members told investigators that Rivers was disabled and had been ill for a long time.

Thompson says the fire apparently started between an occupied apartment and a vacant one.