A man who apparently made an attempt to escape his burning house died this morning, according to the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department.

The man’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin by police, Battalion Chief Richard Cook said.

Cook said firefighters retrieved the man’s body within nine minutes of arriving at the fire at 424 Jefferson Street.

It appears he may have been sleeping and was awakened by the fire and tried to escape.

Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 12:30 this morning. Upon arriving the brick story and a half house was about 40 percent engulfed with flames coming out vents, a side door and two windows. It had made its way to the roof.

“In a situation like that we do what we can,” Cook said. “The guys located the victim.”

Personal belongings of the victim hampered firefighting. Cook said it was believed the front door was not in use because items were placed against it.

Firefighters got the blaze under control in about an hour and 25 minutes and remained on the scene for much of the morning. It is believed an electrical malfunction in a wall socket may have caused the fire.

Both Roanoke Rapids fire stations were dispatched and off-duty firefighters were called to the scene. Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad and Halifax EMS were also at the scene.

Cook said it appeared the man slept upstairs. “It appears he attempted to make it out but did not.”

Roanoke Rapids firefighters retrieved the man’s body.