Chesapeake man, 88, dies after backyard fire

CHESAPEAKE

An 88-year-old man died Thursday afternoon in an apparent accidental fire involving a riding mower, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Fire crews responded shortly after 12:30 p.m. to a reported house fire in the 700 block of Dissdale Lane, near River Walk. Instead, they found the mower, a privacy fence and much of the backyard ablaze, Capt. Mike Thibeault said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife, who told firefighters she wasn't hurt, had tried to help her husband, Thibeault said. Their names weren't released until officials could notify more family members, Thibeault said.

Police said the fire and death didn't appear to be suspicious, Thibeault said. Fire investigators removed the mower and are working to determine what happened, he said.