Yellowknife (Jan 10/05) - A Hay River man died in a house fire that flared up the early morning hours of Jan. 2. The victim has been identified as 60-year-old Kenneth Noble.

The Hay River Fire Department received the call just after midnight. Upon arrival at the scene, the house at 48 Elm Crescent was engulfed in flames and there were reports of an individual inside.

Firefighters quickly gained control of the fire and upon entering the residence, found the victim already deceased.

Three other people escaped the blaze uninjured, says Const. Jim Strowbridge, the investigating officer with the RCMP.

Strowbridge notes all four occupants were sleeping when the fire began.

The three survivors made attempts to rescue Noble, but were driven back by the flames, the constable notes.

An joint investigation is being conducted by the fire marshal's office and the RCMP to determine the cause of the fire.

"Based on witness statements, lots of people smoked in the house," says Strowbridge.

"It may have been a cigarette, but that's speculation at this point."

Strowbridge expects a fire marshal's report will be complete by the end of this week.

No foul play is suspected.