WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- An 83-year-old man died from asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide when a fire began inside a residence on Main Avenue in Watertown.

The body of Lewis Deshane was found in the basement.

After arriving around 1:30 a.m. Friday, firefighters were unable to enter the home because of fears that the structure would collapse.

Fire investigators say the fire started in the basement near a wood-burning heating appliance, but an official cause wasn't initially given.

Another man living in a mobile home on the property was able to escape the fire.