LOOMIS—

One man is dead and another clinging to life in the hospital tonight after a house fire in Loomis.

About 40 fire fighters responded when 9-1-1 callers told them the two men were stuck inside the burning home on Bankhead Road.

One of the men taken to the hospital later died, authorities told FOX40 later Sunday night.

It wasn’t the flames that menaced the men, but smoke, which was very heavy, according to witnesses.

Both men were overcome by that smoke and had to be pulled from the home by rescuers who were trying to extinguish the flames while they searched for victims.

Firefighters were uncertain what caused the blaze Sunday night, but they believe it started in a shop, or workroom, in a converted garage attached to one side of the home.

In all, Loomis, South Placer, Newcastle, Lincoln, Auburn and Roseville fire crews showed up to the scene.