La Mesa

A 49-year-old man was found dead in a burning vacant house Wednesday morning and investigators believe the fire was caused by arson. Clifton Charles Harding’s body was found by firefighters at 8 a.m. when they arrived at the house at 4747 Beaumont Drive, Battalion Chief Mike Morris said. Fire officials would not discuss the evidence, but Morris said they believe the fire was set, but not by Harding, who was planning to move into the house and had gone there to wait for his furniture to be delivered. Deputy Coroner Jack Larkie said an autopsy was scheduled for today to determine the cause of Harding’s death.