KPIX (SF-CBS) anchor Doug Murphy dies in house fire

[bluestateguy]

I remember this guy since I was old enough to watch television. One of those voices from my childhood, and now he's gone.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/05/MURPHY.TMP&feed=rss.news

Long time Bay Area television news anchor Doug Murphy died in a fire in his Lafayette home Sunday night.

KPIX television announced Murphy's death during the station's 11 o'clock news broadcast, just hours after he died.

Lafayette fire officials said the house fire on South Peardale Dr. was reported at 7:26 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found flames coming from the attic, according to Terri Patterson, a dispatcher for the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

The body of a man was found in the attic, according to Patterson.

more

[Lerkfish]

1. what was he doing in the attic, i wonder?

trying to fight the fire himself or accidentally causing a fire?

[Enraged_Ape]

3. Maybe he saw smoke or flames or something coming from his attic

and he went up to investigate. Then he got overcome by the smoke and couldn't find his way back out through the access panel.

I can see that happening.

[nicknameless]

2. Sorry to hear it. I wonder too why he was in the attic.

:shrug:

[jannyk]

4. I heard the sad news on the 11pm news

last night. Everyone at KPIX was pretty shaken up. Kate Kelly did a tribute and choked back tears.

Doug was on a LOA for health reasons, had been since early in the year. Does anyone know what was wrong with him? Could it have been a contributing factor to the bizarre circumstances of his death?

He was a good guy and this is tragic, especially for his 2 kids.

G'night Doug, sleep peacefully.

[LisaM]

5. It's normal to be in the attic during the holidays

If you store ornaments, lights, etc. up there.

[jannyk]

6. SFChron: Not Attic but LR

New details of Doug Murphy's death. The Chron now reports he was found in the LR NOT the attic. Also the fire did not start in the attic.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/05/MNG9OG38U45.DTL

[bluestateguy]

7. He must have had mobility issues

He was on disability from KPIX. I'm thinking maybe he couldn't move very fast and could not get out.

[orwell]

8. I actually...

...ran into Doug in a Thai restaurant by Lake Merritt in Oakland one time. He seemed personable.

Too bad for his family. RIP