NEWFANE, N.Y. -- An early morning fire in Niagara County has claimed the life of one person. 

Fire officials call this a heartbreaking scene. That's because they say not only was there only one non-functioning smoke detector inside this home, but it also appears the victim, 54-year-old Jim Marsh, tried to escape from the burning home.

Residents of West Avenue in Newfane woke up around 4:30 Tuesday morning to find the street filled with flashing lights.

"I looked out and you could just see the glow from the back over there," Newfane resident Jerry Strauser said.

Strauser, a former firefighter for the very company parked on his street went to action making sure his neighbors were ok.

"It's just like being in training and you never forget it," he said.

Strauser says that news his neighbor wasn't able to escape his burning home brings back a flood of memories. He’s responded to his fair share of fatal fires.

"No more deaths. It's just too much," he said.

Investigators say it appears the flames began in the back of the home, somewhere near the top of the stairwell.

"The subject was located in the bedroom where it appears he made an attempt to get out but unfortunately the fire was between him and the stairway," Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour said.

There was only one smoke detector in the upstairs apartment, and it didn't have a battery.

"Smoke detectors are very simple to put on we have them ride at our firehouse if anybody needs them," said Gary Snyder, Miller Hose Fire Chief

It didn't take long for crews to put out the flames, and while the damage is extensive the building is structurally sound. However for this neighborhood and the Marsh family, it seems all is lost.

"Lord just guide us through it," Strauser said.

An autopsy will be done to determine his cause of death.

Jim Marsh’s brother Tim says fire officials told him Jim did not suffer. He says what gives him solace is knowing that and that his brother is in a better place reunited with their late parents.