And it is not known whether Terry Kelly died before or after the fire took hold in the kitchen at his home in Langdale Avenue, Chichester.
Neighbour Patrick Krawzak tried to save the 71-year-old after spotting smoke coming out of the windows.
H
e dragged Mr Kelly from the flame-filled kitchen before trying to resuscitate him in the garden at 7.45pm last Thursday.
Mr Krawzak's father, Gregory Woloszczuk, said: 'We tried to save his life.
'My son went in and pulled him out. We tried to get him to breathe again before the paramedics arrived and they took over. He was part of the family for us.
'We took Terry as part of the family because his wife passed away two years ago. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. We are very sad to lose a good friend.'
It is not known whether Mr Kelly died from natural causes or as a result of the fire, which started in a chip pan on the cooker.
Two appliances from Chichester fire station went to the scene.
Chichester fire station deputy district commander Gary Locker said: 'The efforts of the neighbours are to be commended although we are naturally cautious about encouraging would-be rescuers to enter a burning building.'
