CRYSTAL BEACH, Texas --
A man's pleas for help could not save him from a house fire in Crystal Beach early Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Galveston County officials said the fire broke out at a home on North Tinkle Road near state Highway 87 at about 2:30 a.m.
Sam Brown, 65, died in the fire, officials said.
Neighbors said the home became engulfed in flames within minutes.
"I saw that the flames were on the siding upstairs. It wasn't too bad then," neighbor Dick Marshall said.
He said he called Brown, but no one answered the phone.
"The fire had jumped to the main part of the house and pretty soon it just -- whew," Marshall said.
Firefighters arrived in 10 minutes.
"Some of the deputies that got to the scene said that they could hear someone inside," said Major Ray Tuttoilmondo with the Galveston County Sheriff's Department.
However, the fire was so extensive, firefighters could not save Brown, who died at the scene.
Friends said Brown was well-known in the community and emceed the crab festival for more than 20 years.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday to honor Brown's life. It will take place at the Bayview Methodist Church in Crystal Beach. The service will begin at 2 p.m.
Officials said the fire was accidental and apparently started because of a problem with an electrical fixture.
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