Investigators have confirmed that a man died in an early-morning house fire in Spring Hill.

Firefighters responded to the home in the 12400 block of Montego Street at 4:42 a.m. after receiving a call that the house was fully involved in flames.

The firefighters launched a defensive attack on the fire. They were concerned about the houses on either side of the home, and so they evacuated those homes.

The fire was under control by 5:23 a.m., officials say.

Initially fire crews didn't know if there was anyone in the home, but a roof collape made it impossible for them to go in.

It wasn't until after firefighters were able to douse the falmes that they discovered a man's body inside.

Neighbors are stunned by the news.
 
"I thought it was lightning because I saw some lights," said neighbor Bruce Miller. "And then all of a sudden I hear pounding door, my front door. And really pounding and there's a young boy out on a bicycle and he says, 'Look! The house is on fire!' And it was like ablaze like that."

Investigators are still working to identify the remains.