Man who died in fire may have tried to help

The fire marshal’s office is looking into whether a man who died in an overnight house blaze in North York stayed back to try to extinguish the flames himself.

Toronto firefighters responded to a call for a fire at 21 Mayberry Rd., near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue West, shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday.

When crews arrived on scene, they saw flames and smoke coming from the home. When they entered, firefighters found a man in the basement, District Chief Stephan Powell told toronto.com.

The man was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Andrea Gaynor, investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal, told reporters that they have information that someone may have taken some steps to put out the fire on their own.

“Maybe that was the reason for the delay (in escaping) but at this point we’re not 100 per cent clear on that yet,” Gaynor said.

Gaynor said a potential hoarding situation made it a challenge for firefighters to access the location.

“If that’s the situation at your home, please make sure there is a clear path so that emergency services can get in there,” Gaynor said.

Preliminary information suggests that there was a working smoke detector that contributed to the couple upstairs escaping safely, Gaynor said.

Fire crews have not yet determined the cause and origin of the blaze.