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LAPD Investigates Blaze That Killed Veteran Firefighter

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — Los Angeles police are investigating a Hollywood Hills house fire that killed a veteran firefighter.

Police spokeswoman Diana Soukounian says robbery-homicide division detectives are at the Viewsite Drive home, which has been red-tagged.

Glenn Allen, 61, a 36-year veteran of the LAFD, died after the ceiling of the 12,500-square-foot home fell on him last week. Fire officials say a fire in the home burned through plastic sprinkler pipes in the attic and filled the space with water that collapsed the ceiling.

Fire Department and Building and Safety department officials also are investigating. Spokesmen say they'll try to determine whether the building's construction and design played a role in the death and whether the sprinkler system was properly inspected. Arson has been ruled out.

A candlelight vigil for Allen is scheduled Thursday night at a fire station. Funeral services were scheduled for Friday.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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