By Meghan Holmberg
An Orem man died Sunday night after a fire ignited in his residence at 79 S. 900 East in Orem, police said.
Kevin Eric Seipert, 36, was pronounced dead at Timpanogos Regional Medical Center after he was found unconscious in his home by rescue personnel and rapidly transported to the medical facility, police officials said.
Police responded to a report of a house fire at 4:58 p.m. When they arrived, heavy fire was visible from the roof at both ends of the home, officers first at the scene said.
A three-man search team attempted to enter the house to retrieve Seipert, but had to evacuate because of the rapidly spreading fire, which caused part of the roof to collapse. Firefighters and paramedics continued to search for Seipert from outside the home until the fire was extinguished, officials said.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, however it is suspected that unattended food left cooking on the stove was what started the fire, an investigation team said.
Seipert, who was ill that day, remained at home while his family attended church. He is survived by wife, Catia, and two children, ages 12 and 4.
The $200,000 damages to the house pale 'by comparison to the loss of a husband and father,' Orem police spokesman, Lt. Doug Edwards said. 'Our deepest sympathies go to the Seipert family and neighbors who are very upset by this unfortunate accident.'
Funeral and memorial services have not yet been planned.