Body found in 1 of 12 morning car fires in Platte City

PLATTE CITY, Mo. - Authorities in Platte City have identified the man found dead inside a fire-damaged truck. The truck was one of 14 vehicle break-ins, 12 were set on fire, Friday morning.

The man, identified as 20-year-old Curtis Durbin of Platte City, was found just after 7 a.m. in a truck in the 2100 block of Wilkerson Drive.

According to Platte City police, the preliminary cause of death is smoke inhalation. High levels of carbon monoxide were also found.

Investigators said Durbin was not the owner of the truck.

Dave Connell saw smoke billowing from his 2012 GMC Sierra Friday morning when he opened the door. 

"I unlocked my truck and when I opened the door, smoke came out and I saw the big hole and the burn spot," said Connell.

Bomb and arson squads from the Platte County Sheriff’s and Kansas City Police departments are also investigating the other vehicle break-ins and vehicle fires in the area. The first vehicle fire was reported at 5:25 a.m. Friday.

According to authorities on the scene, none of the vehicles involved appear to have any exterior damage so investigators are trying to determine if some sort of device was used to start the fires.

Other agencies involved in the investigation include the ATF, the state fire marshal, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and medical examiners from Platte and Jackson counties.

Investigators plan to use fingerprint technology to identify the deceased man.