02:13 PM EST on Friday, January 7, 2005

By JANELLE MARTINEZ / 6NEWS

6NEWS

Investigators said the home was vacant.

Charlotte fire investigators said they are leaning toward an accidental cause of a house fire that killed a man early Friday morning near uptown.

The fire started at a vacant house around 2 a.m. in the 600 block of Jackson Avenue, just off Central Avenue.

Investigators said the victim in the fire was probably homeless and broke into the vacant home to sleep. The victim has been identified, but his name has not been released at this time.

The charred shell of the house is still standing, but the inside is about 50 percent gutted. People who live in the area said they weren't surprised to hear someone was inside.

"I had a feeling someone was in there," neighbor Jamie Mayfield said. "I heard sirens and horns, but I couldn't see the fire trucks from the smoke.”

Mayfield and his roommate said the one and a half story house that over looks uptown Charlotte had been broken into before.

Richard Smith said the "unsafe" sign out front wasn't enough to keep the homeless out.

"We've seen them come in and out,” Smith said.

Just after 2 a.m. Friday people driving along Independence Boulevard called 911 to report fire at the home. Neighbors said flames were shooting out the front door and windows.

Firefighters searched inside the home, but didn't find the victim on the second floor until their second sweep.

Investigators would not comment on where or how the fire started, only that they are leaning toward accidental.

Arson investigators arrived at the home early Friday morning, which is routine anytime there is a fatal fire.