BOLIVAR, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say two people have died in an early morning fire in southwest Missouri.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the fire started Monday morning on the north side of Bolivar.

Fire chief James Ludden says 64-year-old Robbie Spencer was pulled from the flaming home and rushed to a hospital, where he later died. A second victim has not yet been identified, pending notification of family. Two pets also perished in the fire.

Ludden says a passer-by smelled smoke but thought it was coming from a fireplace. By the time the passer-by returned a short time later, the house was in flames.

Ludden says some of the spray nozzle levers froze shut in the subzero temperatures, and one of the fire hoses ruptured when embers fell on it.