FD: Man dies in Mesa apartment fire

MESA, AZ - Authorities say one person has died in a fire in Mesa Wednesday.

Mesa fire Capt. Forrest Smith identified the victim as 29-year-old Daniel M. Montoya.

The fire started in an apartment around 1:45 a.m. near Baseline Road and Country Club Drive.

When firefighters arrived, they found an active fire burning in a first floor apartment at Tierra del Sol, Smith said.

Crews found the victim by the front door. He apparently died of smoke inhalation, according to Smith.

Firefighters were able to quickly control the fire and keep it from spreading to other apartments.

Smith said eight people were evacuated from nearby apartments but it appears that most will not be displaced from their homes.

Smith said firefighters from Tempe and Chandler helped battle the first alarm fire.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, although Smith said the fire started in the area of the sofa in the living room.