Rusk County Sheriff Jeff Price confirmed that a body was recovered from a Tatum home after a fire destroyed the residence Tuesday morning.

“A neighbor went by to check on the house and the person that was living there, and that’s when he pulled up and saw smoke everywhere,” Price said. “(He) tried to get in but couldn’t.”

Price said the neighbor was not carrying a cellphone at the time, so he went home and called 911.

Price said his office is working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine whether the fire was the cause of death. He said the family has asked the victim not be identified while the investigation is ongoing.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed they are investigating the incident, but said it could take weeks to identify a cause.

“At this time we’re investigating to find out exactly what happened to the deceased person and the house,” Price said.

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