1 dead in Sanford house fire on Summerset Place, police say

SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man died in a house fire in Sanford on Wednesday, and authorities are investigating the cause.

The Sanford Police Department and Sanford Fire Department are conducting a joint investigation into the fire at a home on Summerset Place.

Crews responded around 2:35 a.m. to a reported structure fire at 1326 Summerset Place. When firefighters arrived, they began working to put out the flames, officials said.

During the response, firefighters found a person dead inside the home. Sanford police detectives were called to the scene to investigate the death.

The victim was identified as Marcus Phillip Mason, 59, who lived at the address, officials said. Mason was recently sworn in as a new board member of Lee County Schools.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation. Authorities said additional information will be released as it becomes available.