The State Fire Marshal's Office says an elderly Upton man died from a fire at his house a few days before being found by sheriff's deputies.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says 79-year-old Norman Mercier's body was found in the living room of his Route 26 home. The man's friends had notified the Sheriff's Office when they became concerned because they hadn't heard from him in a few days.

Fire Investigators say the wood stove in the living room ignited combustibles that were stored nearby. The fire extinguished itself, due to a lack of oxygen, but not before causing extensive smoke damage.

More From