A beloved Korean war veteran has died after being beaten, doused with gasoline and set on fire in the back yard of his own home.

Gene Emory Dacus, 85, affectionately known as Mr Gene in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, was found dead in the early hours of Wednesday.

Neighbors, friends and family of Mr Gene say they are devastated by the loss - describing him as a kind-hearted man who welcomed people to the neighborhood, helped to mow lawns, and was still caring for his 60-year-old disabled son.

Gene Emory Dacus, 85, a beloved Korean War veteran, was found beaten and burned to death in the back yard of his Birmingham, Alabama, home on Wednesday morning

Police say a teen seen fleeing the property with a can of gasoline has been arrested and confessed to the crime, but has yet to explain his motive

Police say a teen suspect seen fleeing the scene with a can of gasoline has been arrested and confessed to the crime, but has been unable to explain his actions.

Gary Dacus, one of Mr Gene's three sons, told AL.com: 'My father's death is a tragic loss. The community lost one of its pillars.

'He taught me good rules and I have a lot of my father in me. I'm a successful person for that. When I got the call, I just broke down.'

Dacus said his father, an Army veteran and aircraft mechanic, was a Georgia native but had moved to Alabama in the 1950s to help care for his ailing parents.

After they died Mr Gene, his wife Earnestine and his disabled son stayed in the family home where they became universally loved members of the community.

Earnestine passed away in 2005, and Dacus said he had tried to persuade his father to move away from the neighborhood, but he had refused.

Dacus said he had even set up a property for the elderly man and his son to move into, but he would not leave.

Todd Ahmed, who moved to Alabama from Sudan, said Mr Gene was one of the first people he befriended and had always felt a close connection to him.

He said: 'I have a lot of friends but none like him. I'm really shocked. He was nice, nice, nice. He always told me if I needed help to come to him.'

Birmingham police Chief A.C. Roper (pictured) said that the crime 'shocks the conscience', while neighbors, friend and family praised 'Mr Gene' as loving and kind-hearted

Meanwhile others praised him for helping to keep the area clean, and for being kind to children around the neighborhood.

Police say concerns were raised for Mr Gene's safety after his car was stolen three weeks ago, leading him to pull his truck up on to the grass in front of his house.

That truck, a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup, also went missing around the time of his death, and cops are now hunting for the vehicle.

Birmingham police Chief A.C. Roper told WBRC6: 'This homicide shocks the conscience of any reasonable person. Our hearts are hurting for the victim, his family and our community.

'The suspect actually confessed to this crime but we have not received any logical justification to explain what happened.'

Investigators say Mr Gene and the teen suspect had got into an altercation before the attack, but have not released any further details.

Dacus said it appears that his father was hit in the head by the suspect who then returned with a can of gasoline to burn evidence of his crime.

He said it is unclear whether his father was alive or conscious at the time he was set on fire.

Dacus is also preparing to take custody of his disabled brother. It is unclear whether he was at home at the time of the crime.

Charges are expected to be filed against the suspect, who has not been identified, later today.