A blind man died in a house fire in Tanner early Friday, said Athens Fire Chief James Hand.

According to the chief, the Athens Fire Department received a call at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, July 5, involving a house fire on Griffith Road in Tanner.

Athens Fire and Rescue, along with Clements, Owens and Tanner emergency fire units responded to the scene. The crews worked to extinguish the fire, requesting a tanker truck to assist in extinguishing the flames that engulfed the home

According to Hand there was one confirmed death at the scene. The deceased man was found inside of the home. According to Hand, the investigation will be handled by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department and the State Fire Marshal.

According to reports, the victim was the only resident of the home. Reports have also confirmed that the resident living at the home was blind.

Limestone County Coroner Mike West has received the body of the deceased Tanner man, but has yet to identify the victim of the house fire.

West noted that it may be later in the week until they are able to fully identify the “older gentleman.”

The identification process will be longer than expected, as this case involves the dental records of the victim. The county coroner will require an anthropologist to help in the case due to the extent of the burn injuries.

“It’s a presumptive ID at the moment,” West said. “It’s not a positive ID, because he was burned beyond recognition.”