POULSBO – The death of a 90-year-old Poulsbo man is being investigated by the Kitsap County Coroner’s Office.

It was not known late April 10 if the man died because of the kitchen fire at his home on the 1400 block of Odin Lane, near North Kitsap High School, Poulsbo Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Matson reported.

“The man’s 58-year-old son, who has a home in Ballard, lived with his father in Poulsbo during the week and commuted daily across the water,” Matson reported. “The son is receiving some assistance from the Red Cross.  Neighbors describe the deceased as a ‘wonderful man and a well-known local musician.’ ”

Poulsbo Fire Department, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue went to the scene of the fire, which appeared to have started in the kitchen. When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from the home. Two 19-year-old male neighbors had attempted to rescue the man, Matson reported, and when firefighters arrived were containing the fire to the kitchen, using a garden hose. Firefighters completely extinguished the fire within five minutes, Matson reported.

The 19-year-olds, who were next door, said they “noticed smoke billowing from the windows” and ran over to the house. One man “busted in the back door,” which was closest to the fire.

“Because of the quick actions of the two men, fire damage was confined to the kitchen area but there is significant smoke damage to the home,” Matson reported.

“The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Kitsap County Fire Marshal and the cause of death is being investigated by the Kitsap coroner.”