BOOTHBAY — A middle-aged man died in a fire that destroyed a house on Sproul Lane early this morning.

The man’s body, which was burned beyond recognition and is being taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office to be identified, was found in the first-floor living room about 4 a.m. by a newspaper delivery person, according to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.

The fire burned the house entirely to the ground, save a couple of walls, according to a news release from McCausland. He said the state Fire Marshal’s Office believes the man was the only person in the house.

McCausland did not say how the fire started and was not immediately available.