SPOKANE VALLEY -- Authorities are trying to determine if an elderly man found dead in a burning apartment died in the fire or before it started.
The fire started just after 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday in an apartment near Main and University in Spokane Valley.
A person riding by on a bicycle noticed smoke and flames coming from the building and called 911. That man woke up a neighbor of the victim's, and both men entered the unlocked apartment in an attempt to save the man.
The neighbor told KREM 2 News the smoke was thick inside the apartment. He said he tried to pick the man up off a bed in the living room, but quickly realized he was dead. The neighbor says at that point they were overcome by smoke and fire, and ran outside just as fire trucks arrived.
Investigators believe a cigarette left on a recliner near the bed likely started the fire. Officials believe the man died of smoke inhalation.
Smoking is not allowed in the victim's apartment building. Investigators also say the man used an oxygen machine.
The man's unit received heavy smoke damage. Surrounding units were not damaged.
