PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A person was taken to the hospital following an early morning fire at a home in Portsmouth, where he later died, according to Portsmouth Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services.
Officials say they were made aware of the fire around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31. When crews arrived, they say they saw heavy fire coming from a home in the 100 block of Gilmerton Ave.
Crews began attacking the fire and searched the home for residents. Fire Department personnel found and rescued an adult in the home, officials say.
The man, now identified as 59-year-old Keith Ridley, was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
No other injuries were reported, and the fire was under control around 6:30 a.m.
Portsmouth's Deputy Fire Chief said Fire Marshals have finished a preliminary investigation, to which the cause of the fire has been identified to be "smoking materials in contact with combustible bed materials."
This is an ongoing investigation.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
