A 69-year-old man has died after a massive house fire in Fernie.
At 4:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon, a fire broke out at a house in a residential neighbourhood.
The Fernie Fire Department and emergency personnel arrived to find the house completely engulfed in fire. Crews worked for hours to protect neighbouring properties.
Several witnesses reported hearing an explosion and rushed to the home with fire extinguishers.
The victim was found unresponsive in a covered walkway at the front of the home, but the fire and falling debris prevented him from being pulled out, Canadian Press reported.
The man’s dog was found safe outside the house.
Forensic investigators have determined the fire and man’s death were not a result of foul play.
Next of kin have been notified, the but man’s name has not been released.