A homeowner discovered someone was stuck in his chimney after he started a fire Saturday afternoon.

According to KSEE, the man inside the chimney had apparently tried to break into the home by climbing down the chimney but had gotten stuck.

"He had tried to light a fire in his fireplace and he had heard somebody calling out for help in the chimney" Fresno County sheriff's Deputy Jake Jensen told KSEE.

The homeowner put out the fire and contacted firefighters. Emergency crews responded within a few minutes and dismantled the chimney.

The suspect died before rescuers could reach him.

"I've been a deputy for almost 17 years now, and I've never seen anything like this," Jensen said.

The suspect, who is described as in his early 20s, has not yet been identified.