MCSO: Human remains found in Surprise house fire

SURPRISE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Authorities say a man is believed to be dead after human remains were found following a reported explosion and fire at a Surprise guest house.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says the fire broke out at a guest house near 185th Avenue and Acoma at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. The homeowner told deputies she heard an explosion and after that her guest house on her property started to catch fire.

Investigators say a man living in the guesthouse was missing after the fire and once firefighters extinguished the fire, deputies sound what appeared to be human remains among the debris.

Residents in the area said they are still trying to process the news. The owner of the guesthouse said she knew the man for 25 years, and he was someone who meant a lot to those close to him.

They said the victim was a hard worker who would never hesitate to pull branches from trees his disabled neighbors could not reach.

>>VIDEO from the scene: https://www.facebook.com/FOX10Phoenix/videos/1387373777977832/

Arson investigators also responded to the scene and took over the investigation, although, it is too early to determine if the cause of the fire was arson or accidental.