Firefighters found a man dead Sunday in what is Summerville’s first fire fatality of the year, officials said.

The fire happened in the 700 block of Highland Avenue in what was reportedly an abandoned house, Fire Chief Greg Echols said.

A 52-year-old man was found dead just inside a dead-bolted front door, near a makeshift living area.

The home had no utilities, but candles were found nearby, Echols said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Summerville is about 90 miles northwest of Atlanta.

RELATED: Former UGA football player, woman, child killed in house fire

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com