Man who died in house fire found by officers serving warrant

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A Billings man who died of smoke inhalation in a house fire was found by officers serving a warrant for his arrest, police said Wednesday.

John D. Nailen III, 45, was found dead Monday afternoon.

Detectives could tell there had been a fire in the residence several days earlier and initial information said the fire was intentionally set, police said. There was no indication of foul play, The Billings Gazette reported.

Officers also had a warrant to search Nailen’s residence as part of a criminal investigation, police said.

An autopsy determined Nailen died of smoke inhalation, the coroner’s office said.