The Dallas Fire Department responded to a fatal fire in southern Dallas, officials said.
DALLAS — One person died after a fire destroyed a detached structure in southern Dallas, officials said.
Firefighters responded to a fire around 5:12 a.m. Sunday near 1419 East Overton Road, according to a press release from the Dallas Fire Department.
When firefighters responded to the scene, they saw heavy fire coming from a detached structure behind a one-story residence and learned people were inside the structure, according to the Dallas Fire Department. The structure was one of two behind the home being used as temporary residences, firefighters said.
Firefighters worked to suppress the fire and started search and rescue operations, the release states.
An unknown number of people were able to escape the fire. However, an unidentified elderly man was found unresponsive inside the structure, officials said. He was pronounced dead on the scene, the release states.
Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding structures and the fire was extinguished around 6:20 a.m., officials said.
Two people inside the main residence were unaware of the fire until neighbors alerted them, the department said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.