SUMAS, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A weekend fire claimed the life of a Sumas man.

Whatcom Fire District 14 says that their crews were dispatched to a house fire on Halverstick Road around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.

While firefighters were tackling the flames, they located a man who had passed away inside.

The man has been identified as 95-year-old Robert Samms, but a cause of death has not been determined.

Following an investigation, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office says an electrical failure with a hot water heater likely started the fire.