UPDATE: Man who died in house fire owned home

UPDATE (8/17): Fire investigators have confirmed the body found in an Ogden house that caught on fire Sunday is the former homeowner, Peter Carl Darius – according to published reports.

We’ll have more coming up on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 5 & 6.

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Firefighters are investigating an early-morning fire Sunday that killed a man. Neighbors say they heard an explosion and saw flames around 2:30 a.m.

The fire happened at 307 Putnam Drive in Ogden. New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies, along with three engines from New Hanover County, Ogden, Porters Neck and Murrayville stations responded to the call.

Neighbors say it’s scary seeing a fire break out so close to home.

“I was getting kind of nervous when the fire department wasn’t here and it was about to get to his fence,” said neighbor Kim Weipert. “I could see it just like dominos all the way down to our house, but they got here and put it out right away. It was the biggest house fire I’ve ever seen.”

Neighbors say the man that lived in the house was quiet and kept to himself. Investigators are waiting for an autopsy report before they release more information.