Death investigation underway after firefighters respond to fire in Park Manor alley

Authorities are conducting a death investigation after a burning body was found Saturday night when firefighters responded to a call of a fire in a Park Manor alley.

Firefighters were called about 9:15 p.m. to an alley near the 7200 block of South Perry Avenue and found the person on fire, according to Chicago police.

The person, whose age and sex was not immediately known, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

He was later identified as John Gaston, 50, of Park Manor, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Autopsy results were pending.

Area One detectives were investigating.