A joint investigation continues between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office into the cause of a shed fire that claimed the life of a man Friday night.

Just after 11::00 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department responded to 37720 River Springs Road in Avenue for a reported shed fire after the owners discovered their 8' x 10' shed ablaze and reported a person was still possibly inside.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in under 10 minutes and confirmed a deceased victim was inside.

Although the victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death and where the victim will be positively identified, he is believed to be the adult son of the owners, who resided at the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A joint investigation is a standard operating procedure between the Office of the State Fire and the local authority having jurisdiction whenever a fatal fire occurs.