SAN ANTONIO --
A 77-year-old man was killed in a house fire early Monday on the city's East Side.
Firefighters found the victim, who apparently lived alone, in the front portion of a home in the 700 block of Cuney Way around 1:30 a.m.
It's not known whether the man, who has not been identified, was trying to escape when he was apparently overcome by fire and smoke.
Fire officials are investigating a cause, but said the home was probably not equipped with smoke detectors.
"The fire companies that arrived did not hear any smoke detectors going off, so more than likely he did not have any smoke detectors," said San Antonio District Fire Chief Randy Jenkins.
In hopes of preventing a similar situation, firefighters at the scene were giving away free smoke detectors to neighbors of the victim.
Firefighters are also available to install the detectors free of charge.
Residents can call 211, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to request a free smoke detector.
