MARTINSVILLE, Va. (rbs news now) — A person is dead following a fire in Martinsville that destroyed a structure.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of Fayette Street at 1:53 a.m. on November 26.

Crews arrived to find the structure heavily involved in flames, with the fire spreading to an adjacent building.

While on the scene, a man who claimed to be the landlord told rbs news now that someone was still inside the building during the blaze.

Martinsville Police officers confirmed that one occupant was inside the original structure, and firefighters found the victim, who was determined to be deceased.

The individual’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for identification.

The fire destroyed the original structure and severely damaged the attic of an adjacent building.

A neighboring church suffered radiant heat damage to its exterior and light smoke damage inside.

According to officials, preliminary damage estimates are $70,000.

Martinsville firefighters were assisted by the Henry County Department of Public Safety, Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department.

Multiple city departments, including public works and electric, supported the response, as did Southwest Virginia Gas Company for utility control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Officials said the victim’s name will be released once positive identification is confirmed.

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