THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TREATING THE CASE AS A POSSIBLE HOMICIDE.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – An early Friday morning fire in Kelseyville has turned into a death investigation following firefighters' discovery of human remains in the burned structure.

The name of the deceased has not yet been released, but officials said that, based on witness statements, it's believed that the person who died was the home's 85-year-old resident.

Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said detectives who are investigating the fire's circumstances have deemed it suspicious and are treating it as a homicide.

Kelseyville Fire Chief Mike Stone said the fire was reported in a residence on Fairway Drive in the Clear Lake Riviera just after 2 a.m. Friday.

An early morning post on the California Highway Patrol's Web site indicated the blaze was in the 10000 block of Fairway Drive.

Stone said a total of three engines and 12 personnel from Kelseyville Fire and Lakeport Fire responded to the fire.

“Upon arrival the firefighters were confronted with quite a bit of active fire coming out of all windows and the roof,” Stone said.

According to reports from the scene and Stone's statements, firefighters had been on scene about 45 minutes and had brought the fire under control when they found the charred remains in the back of the home in a hallway between a bathroom and a bedroom.

“We did call the coroner right away,” said Stone.

Bauman said a positive identification is pending an autopsy, which hasn't yet been scheduled but could take place next week.

Stone said investigators remained on scene throughout the day Friday trying to determine the fire's cause.

The fire and its resulting damage was confined to the stick-built structure, which Stone said was a complete loss. The only thing firefighters were able to save from the flames due to the fire's advanced state was a vehicle in the home's garage.

Fire investigators believe the blaze's origin was in the middle of the house, in the living room area. However, no conclusion on the fire's cause has been reached, Stone said.

Along with the sheriff's office and Kelseyville Fire, agencies involved in the investigation included Lake County Fire and Cal Fire, Bauman said.

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