Man found dead inside home after fire in Philadelphia's Ogontz section

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 72-year-old man was found dead after a house fire in Philadelphia's Ogontz section.

The fire broke out around 11:50 p.m. on Monday in the 1600 block of W Chew Ave.

Neighbors told Action News that some of them desperately tried breaking down the doors but the smoke was just too thick.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke in the second-floor bedroom of a middle row home.

It took about a half hour to get the fire under control.

The body of the man was found a short time later. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"This is a sad moment," said nieghbor Haafizah Lovett. "I'm shocked. He will be very missed. He was the watcher of the neighborhood."

Officials said he might have died before the fire started.

Sources tell Action News that they believe he might've been smoking in bed before the fire but they're still working on sorting out those additional details.

Officials have not publically released the victim's name.

However, the victim's daughter told Action News that her father lived in the home his whole life and took care of his parents until they passed away.

"To his family I just send my heartfelt condolences," Lovett said.

The fire marshal was called to the scene and detectives are investigating. However, at this time, investigators do not believe the fire is suspicious.

The fire was previously reported to be in the city's Logan section, but has since been updated.