Elderly man dies in early morning New Castle house fire

NEW CASTLE — An elderly man died in a house fire early Friday on New Castle's northwest side, an official said.

The man has been identified as 83-year-old William Miller.

Responders were dispatched about 5:21 a.m. to the home, which is near the corner of North 25th and Washington streets, according to New Castle Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Murray.

Upon arrival, officers found neighbors attempting to enter the residence. The neighbors informed the officers an elderly man lived in the home.

Officers were able to immediately enter the home and found Miller unresponsive and unconscious. After life-saving measures were attempted, Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.

A cause of death has not yet been determined.

The home suffered heavy smoke damage to its interior, but there wasn't "a terrible amount" of fire, Murray said. It's not clear how and in what part of the home the fire started.

Fire officials have not disclosed what caused the fire, citing an ongoing investigation, in which the Indiana State Fire Marshal is assisting.