Estherville, IA (KICD)– Emergency officials have identified the person found dead inside a burning Estherville home over the weekend.

Fire Chief Travis Sheridan has confirmed to KICD News the body found after about thirty minutes of searching in heavy smoke Saturday morning is that of 61-year-old Michael Howard.

The State Fire Marshall’s Office has been called in to help find a possible cause after the fire was discovered by passerby who was investigating a smell of smoke in the area.