RED WING — A 75-year-old man is dead after fire destroyed his home in Red Wing.

Firefighters were called at 8:20 p.m. Thursday and found the main floor of the one-and-a-half-story house engulfed in flames.

Red Wing Fire Capt. Scott Will said the blaze had been burning for some time before a neighbor spotted it.

Will said the homeowner, who lived alone, died at the scene. An autopsy finds he died of smoke inhalation.

Police identify the victim as Donald Max Peterson.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Will said it apparently began in the kitchen.

The house was a total loss. The state fire marshal’s office and the Red Wing fire marshal are investigating.