CHOCTAW — Firefighters from the St. John Volunteer Fire Department were part of a group of first responders who battled a blaze Thursday that claimed the life of the home’s resident.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced Choctaw’s Samuel Farace Jr. died in a fire he set himself.

Lt. Brennan Matherne said investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and State Fire Marshal’s office learned Farace, 57, set the fire after shooting his dog.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. Thursday, deputies and firefighters from several Lafourche Parish fire departments responded to 237 Choctaw School Road in Choctaw. Upon extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered Farace’s body just inside the front door of the residence.

Firefighters responded from St. John, Choctaw Volunteer Fire Department, Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department, Bayou Boeuf Volunteer Fire Department and the Lafourche Crossing 308 Fire Department.

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted a joint investigation with the Sheriff’s Office detectives, determining Farace set the home ablaze and used a rifle to shoot his dog, which was also found deceased inside the residence.

Matherne said an autopsy conducted Friday afternoon determined Farace died because of the fire.