The Thompson-Nicola Regional District says a man in his 80s was killed in a house fire just south of Little Fort early this morning, Feb. 28.

They say firefighters from both Little Fort and Blackpool were called to the house on Webb Road just after 8 a.m.

“Blackpool Fire Rescue Chief Mike Savage and Assistant Chief Deitrich Rempel attended the scene ahead of fire crews while on route to a meeting scheduled in Kamloops, and at that time the home was fully involved,” the TNRD statement said.

“Fire crews arrived soon after and due to the fire’s intensity, crews were forced to take a defensive stance in fighting the fire…[and] no rescue attempt was possible.”

The TNRD also says the fire did not spread to other structures.

It says firefighters determined that the blaze was sparked in some materials at the base of the stairs going to the second floor of the house, but they could not determine the source of ignition because of the damage.

The BC Coroners Service is investigating the blaze, with RCMP in the process of notifying next of kin.