A fire at a Plainville home killed a man in a wheelchair who was unable to escape, fire officials say.
A man is dead after a fire broke out Friday in Plainville, Massachusetts.
Crews responded just after 3 p.m. to the fire at a home on School Street, finding heavy fire conditions.
"It was pretty scary," said Mackenzie Flanagan, who lives down the street. "There was a huge popping noise, it sounded like an explosion."
Firefighters say when they arrived at the home, the flames and smoke were already overwhelming.
"There was a passerby that called 911," said Plainville Fire Chief Robert Skinner.
When firefighters made their way inside, they found the homeowner, who they identified on Saturday as 68-year-old Mark Beyersdorfer. He hadn't been able to escape.
He is believed to have lived alone, but had family members nearby.
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The man used a wheelchair, but he wasn't in it when firefighters found him.
He was located in the front room, where the fire is believed to have started.
Investigators say the cause of the fire is still under investigation. It is believed to have been accidental in nature.
The home is a total loss.
"It's very unfortunate, this time of year," said Skinner. "This hits home to a lot of families. Tight-knit community."
Firefighters say this is the first fatal fire in town in several years.
