HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Prince George’s County fire officials say a 66-year-old man who escaped apparently unharmed from a fire in his house has collapsed and died.

Firefighters were called to the Hyattsville home about 10 p.m. Sunday. Officials say the man and his wife were in the front yard and firefighters went into the basement to put out a blaze.

Officials say the man was in respiratory distress and complaining of chest pains. Paramedics arrived and were preparing to take the man to a hospital when authorities say he suffered cardiac arrest.

The man was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy will be performed.

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