Investigators are looking at accidental factors in a fire in Oakham that left a man dead and destroyed his home, the Department of Fire Services and the Worcester district attorney’s office said in a statement Thursday.
The man has been identified as 55-year-old Ajay Batra, authorities said.
A neighbor had called 911 to report the fire at 67 Skyline Drive about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday., officials said.
While the exact cause cannot be determined, investigators suspect the fire broke out in a second-floor bedroom near the front left corner of the home, according to the statement.
Officials found a space heater and other potential ignition sources in that area, the statement said.
“Home heating equipment is usually the second or third leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.
“Preliminarily, they have found no evidence the fire was intentionally set,” fire services said in the statement.
The fire tore through the building, forcing investigators to use a drone to examine the collapsed portions of the home, according to fire officials.
A Rutland Police officer had attempted to get the man out but was forced back by the raging fire inside the home, officials said.
Firefighters had stayed on the scene until morning battling the blaze during dangerous icy conditions, which froze hose lines in place, officials said.
“We want to remind everyone to keep combustible materials at least three feet away from any heating appliance on all sides,” said Oakham Fire Chief Timothy Howe. “That includes fireplaces, space heaters, and your furnace or oil burner.”
Oakham is a small town in Massachusetts, located about 17 miles west of Worcester.
Hannah Goeke can be reached at hannah.goeke@globe.com.