Seneca fire chief Paul Marsh said the blaze started in the basement of the home at 2211 Route 157. Marsh said firefighters found the body of Billie Sanner Jr., 42, when they entered the basement.
Venango County 911 said the fire erupted just after 4 a.m., and fire departments from Pinegrove, Seneca, Cornplanter, President and Washington Township, along with Community Ambulance Service, responded to the home.
Crews from Rockland, Tionesta, West Hickory and Knox were on standby.
“We arrived on the scene to find a home that had a significant amount of smoke coming out of it,” Marsh said. The chief said firefighters were sent in to put out the flames while also looking for a victim.
Venango County coroner Christina Rugh confirmed Sanner died from injuries sustained in the fire.
An autopsy was conducted Monday afternoon, but Rugh said the results are still pending.
Fire crews were able to clear the scene just after 7 a.m.
Marsh said the basement area experienced significant fire and water damage, while the rest of the home was damaged by smoke.
Franklin state police said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
