Man found dead outside burning Plano home

PLANO, Texas - A man who may have escaped his burning home in Plano was found dead in his backyard.

Plano Fire-Rescue officials said fire engulfed a home on Gettysburg Circle around 10:30 p.m. By the time firefighters arrived, there were already large flames and heavy smoke.

Neighbors told the firefighters there might be someone trapped inside the two-story home. So, the firefighters went into the burning house while police officers checked the home’s exterior.

Officers found the body of an adult male in the backyard. He is believed to be the only person who lived in the home.

It took firefighters close to 30 minutes to get the flames under control.

Investigators are now trying to determine what caused the fire. One scenario that they’re looking at is trouble with an oxygen tank.

“We don’t know for certain but one of the things we’re looking into and believe is possible is that we’re dealing with the oxygen tanks that were located inside the residence may have exploded,” said Officer David Tilley with the Plano Police Department. “It’s not uncommon and these things do explode. That’s what’s believed to possibly the cause of the explosions. Now as far as whether or not that was the cause of the fire, that’s what we’re still looking in to.”

Officials will be back out at the scene once the sun is up.

The victim’s name has not yet been released.