Fire engulfs motorhome of veteran who recently hit a rough patch.

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A local veteran died in a motorhome fire Saturday night in Canyon Country.

Fire and sheriff units arrived at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6110 on Sierra Highway shortly after 6:30 p.m., in response to a call that the motorhome was engulfed in flames.

After the fire was knocked down, investigators found the remains of a man in his 60s. Homicide investigators have taken over the case, although foul play is not suspected.

Joe Domke, who serves as quartermaster of the VFW post, said that the man, whose name has not been released, was a life member of the VFW and “down on his luck.”

“He was staying here just for a night or two, he was trying to get back on his feet,” Domke said. One of the post members had taken the victim shopping just before he retired for the night and Domke said he’d only had a couple of drinks over the course of the day.

He said that he knew the victim was a smoker and guesses that he may have fallen asleep with a lit cigarette.

“Once we saw the fire, we called for help,” he continued. “But we can imagine how hot it must have been inside the motorhome. He probably died from smoke inhalation.”

Because of the advancing age of the post members, Domke said they lose about 12 or 13 members a year.

“They’re all good friends,” he said. “It’s a sad day.”

Domke thinks that the victim, who was reportedly in his late 60s, has a son in Texas. Post members had not yet spoken with the family Monday morning.