Carlos Arredondo, 44, was severely burned and rushed to Hollywood Regional Hospital in Florida after learning that Pfc. Alexander Arredondo had died, police said.
"He suffered seriousjavascript:parent.send('smtp')
Send burns," said Detective Carlos Negron.
Negron said the young man was killed in Iraq Tuesday.
Melida Arredondo told CNN-affiliate WFOR, "My husband did not take the news well."
The events started around 2:15 p.m. when three Marine casualty officers arrived at the home to inform the Arredondo family of the death.
Arredondo went to his garage and came out carrying a propane tank, a gallon of gasoline and a welder's torch, police spokesman Tony Rode said.