A Waterford man died this evening after entering an outbuilding that was on fire, according to Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.

Thomas Birch, 77, of 171 Sand Ridge Road, died at Marietta Memorial Hospital after being taken there by the Beverly-Waterford medical squad, the sheriff said.

First responders discovered Birch in the outbuilding with a ladder lying on top of him, Mincks said. Birch's wife had reported the fire around 6:11 p.m.

Preliminary indications are that Birch died of smoke inhalation, but Mincks said the Ohio Fire Marshal's office is investigating his death and the cause of the fire, which is unknown at this time.