Man's body found burning behind vacant home in Tampa

The body of a dead man was found burning behind an empty home in the North Forest Hills area early Thursday, according to 10News WTSP.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Jose E. Zarragoitia, 23, of 911 E Lotus Avenue, not far from Forest Hills. He was found shortly before 9 a.m. behind a vacant home at 12015 N Oregon Avenue.

Deputies released few other details about their investigation. 10News WTSP reported that authorities did not know whether Zarragoitia was set on fire while he was still alive. The station also reported that the body was discovered when someone walking their dog called authorities to report smoke coming from behind the home.

The same home was struck in November by a car driven by a woman who was subsequently arrested for drunken driving. Someone lived at the address at that time but was not at home during the crash.