Early morning Lethbridge fire takes life of 50-year-old man

A man is dead following a fire at a Lethbridge, Alta., residence early Saturday morning.

Fire crews from all four stations responded to the 600 block of Fifth Street South at 1:30 a.m. to find limited smoke coming from the basement door, Lethbridge Police Servicesaid in arelease.

Firefighters encountered flames and heavy smokeinside the residence, but were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.

The 50-year-old man found insidewas transported to Chinook Regional Hospital in life-threatening conditionand later died ofhis injuries.

A dog was also found deceased inside the home.

Damage is estimated at $200,000 and the investigation continues, police said.