Local Man Killed in Suspicious Camden Fire

Update, March 3, 8:46 a.m.: The Camden County Prosecutor's Office identified the victim as Paul Johnson. His family was located and notified of his death Friday night.

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A man with ties to Collingswood and Oaklyn was killed in Camden Friday and authorities are hunting for those responsible. 

Camden police and the county prosecutor’s office are investigating the case as a homicide by fire and are asking for the public’s help in providing information.

A 65-year-old man was found dead in a burned building on the 1200 block of Decatur Street in Camden early Friday morning, the county prosecutor’s office said. An autopsy revealed he died of smoke inhalation, and the fire was ruled an arson.

The fire took place in an abandoned home and was reported at 3:45 a.m. Friday. Responders found the victim’s body about a half-hour later on the second floor.

The victim, whom authorities didn’t name pending notification of his family, had prior addresses in Collingswood and Oaklyn, but appeared to have been living in the abandoned building.

Anyone with information on the fire or the victim should contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Investigator Chuck Farrell at 856-225-8653 or Camden Police Det. Shawn Donlon at 856-757-7420.