A homeless man burned to death in east Athens last weekend, apparently when consumed by flames that spread from a campfire to his blanket and clothing.

The burning man was discovered about 9 p.m. Saturday by employees of an Oconee Street business who were investigating flames they saw in the woods, according to Athens-Clarke County police.

The man died by the time first responders arrived, said police spokesman Epifanio Rodriguez. The victim was identified in a police report as a 59-year-old man.

Rodriguez said Friday that police still had been unable to locate next of kin to notify them of the man’s death, and the Athens Banner-Herald and OnlineAthens are withholding the name until proper notifications are made.

The man’s camp was located in some woods behind the Taqueria El Agave restaurant at 1285 Oconee St., police said, and the men who made the grisly discovery both worked there.

Foul play is not suspected, and the man’s remains were taken to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

"It looks like this was a tragic accident," Rodriguez said.

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