(CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP) – A house fire in Constantine Township claimed the life of one person.

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman says his department was dispatched just after 10 PM Thursday to the 13,000 block of Riverside Drive on a report of a structure fire. When deputies arrived, they found the residence fully engulfed in flames.

Authorities evacuated the neighbors for safety concerns that involved powers lines and the flames in proximity to propane tanks at the house.

Bingaman says a 66 year old man was removed from the house and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released, pending notification of his family.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were the Constantine and White Pigeon Fire Departments, the White Pigeon Police, the Michigan State Police and Life Care Ambulance.