Photo: Contributed

A 69-year-old man has died after a massive house fire in Fernie.

The fire happened around 4:45 p.m. Friday in a residential neighbourhood of the mountain town, located just west of the Alberta border.

Several witnesses reported hearing an explosion and rushed to the home with fire extinguishers.

The victim was found unresponsive in a covered walkway at the front of the home, but the fire and falling debris prevented him from being pulled out.

Forensic investigators have determined the fire and man’s death were not a result of foul play.

Next of kin have been notified, the but man’s name has not been released.