BUFORD — A man was found dead Thursday morning after a house fire in Buford. Officials say he appeared to die from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Fire crews were called just before 7 a.m. to the 3000 block of North Bogan Road NE, near Thompson Mill Road. A neighbor had reported flames coming from a two-story home.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the house. Because the property sits near the Hall County line, both Gwinnett and Hall County fire departments responded.

While checking the area, firefighters saw a man in the woods behind the house. He told them the home was vacant. Crews searched the house, confirmed no one was inside and worked to get the fire under control.

A short time later, firefighters saw the same man again—this time holding a shotgun. Authorities said he never pointed the weapon at anyone or interfered with the emergency response. Gwinnett County police, who were already on scene, set up a safety perimeter.

The fire was brought under control around 7:26 a.m. Crews stayed on site to put out hot spots, ventilate the home and check air quality.

As firefighters finished up, a neighbor reported seeing a body nearby. Police confirmed it was the same man spotted earlier. Investigators believe he died by suicide. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.

No one else was hurt, and the man was believed to be the only person living in the home.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.