We now know the man who died in the fire on Townsen road in Oktibbeha County.

The mobile home was destroyed by fire Sunday evening.

Neighbors could only watch and stare Monday morning, at the burned out trailer, home of the man they had come to know as their friend.

"Yes, a close friend of mine, you know he is a member of our community, well-known member you know," said Willie D. Williams, Oktibbeha County.

When the fire erupted shortly after five on Sunday, about a dozen men responded from the Bell Schoolhouse Fire Department.

Apparently seventy-two year old Freddie Rieves had just been dropped off at home by a friend.  Rieves told that friend he was going inside to cook something to eat.

"And we extinguished the fire and in the process we came upon the victim," said Wade Howell, Chief, Bell Schoolhouse Fire Department.

The body of the victim was found near the wood stove.

According to Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt, Rieves died of smoke inhalation.

The fire remains under investigation.