Coroner seeking family of Modesto man who died in fire
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died in a house fire in southeast Modesto early Sunday, but could not locate his family.
Stanislaus County sheriff’s Detective Adam Rodriguez said Theodore Burchette, 60, died of smoke inhalation during a fire at his home in the 2700 block of El Pasado Drive, across from Creekside Golf Course.
Rodriguez said Burchette had a deceased brother who lived in Denair. He hasn’t been able to find any living relatives of Burchette.
Two of Burchette’s dogs escaped the blaze, which caused about $250,000 in damage. Firefighters found Burchette in the living room during a search of the home after knocking back the flames.
Battalion Chief Hugo Patino said the fire likely started in a bedroom at the rear of the home but the cause has not been determined.
Anyone with information about Burchette’s family is asked to call Rodriguez at (209) 567-4533.
Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366. Follow her on Twitter @ModestoBeeCrime.
This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Coroner seeking family of Modesto man who died in fire."