DALLAS -- Multiple sources tell News 8 that the death of Dallas lawyer Ira Tobolowsky is now being investigated as a homicide, and the house fire that killed him was no accident.
Sources say Tobolowsky had been doused with some sort of fuel and set on fire. His body was found Friday morning inside his burning garage on Kenshire Lane, in North Dallas near White Rock Creek.
News 8 has learned the case has been handed over to Dallas Fire-Rescue's arson investigators. They are now looking into the possibility that someone from one of the attorney's past cases may have had an ax to grind.
Reached by phone Friday night, Tobolowsky's longtime law partner, Faith Burk, said he had recently been involved in very contentious litigation.
The two-alarm fire started just before 8 a.m. Friday morning. Firefighters found smoke coming from the house, and inside the garage, Tobolowsky's body.
"There are some chemicals in the area -- gasoline, that sort of thing," said Deputy Chief Michael Price with Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Dallas Fire-Rescue has requested the public's assistance in learning more about the fire. If you have any information that might help, contact the Arson Investigation Bureau, at (214) 671-9323, or the Dallas Police Department’s Homicide Division, at (214) 671-3584.
On the street where Tobolowsky and his family have lived for years, shocked neighbors and friends could be seen comforting one another.
"It's a sad day for the neighborhood," said Neighbor Tony Militello. "It's a terrible loss for a wonderful family."
Tobolowsky was a respected civil attorney and a father of three. Neighbors said the family had been planning for a wedding in two weeks for a son.
"I don't know a lot of the details or how this affects it, but I'm sure it's going to be difficult," said neighbor David Rockwell.
News 8's Rebecca Lopez and Tanya Eiserer contributed to this report.