Authorities identified the victim as Terry Biggs, 33.
The fire broke out a little before 4 a.m. in the a third-floor apartment in the city's Kanawha City neighborhood, said Charleston Assistant Fire Chief Kenny Harper.
Harper said the fire appeared to be accident and likely was sparked by something that had been left on the stove.
Harper said the victim's roommate had been out and came home to find the apartment on fire. The roommate dragged Biggs out of the kitchen to the front door, but was then overcome by smoke.
Police then carried the man out, but paramedics were unable to revive him, said Harper.
The roommate, who was not identified, suffered superficial burns, he said.
No one else was injured.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the apartment, but two apartments directly below sustained some water damage.
