FALMOUTH — An elderly man died in a fire that caused heavy damage to a house and destroyed an attached garage late Saturday afternoon in West Falmouth, authorities said.

Firefighters from Falmouth and Portland responded to the blaze at 22 Gray Road. The fire was reported at 5:11 p.m.

Sgt. Joel Davis of State Fire Marshal’s Office said that a man in his 70s died in the fire. So far, Davis said the fire appears to be accidental.

“We just need to figure out what went wrong,” Davis said.

Falmouth Fire Chief Howard Rice said the first caller reported a car on fire in a garage at 22 Gray Road. When crews from Falmouth and Portland arrived minutes later, the garage was burning, and the flames had spread to the attached house.

Firefighters discovered the man inside the house. His name is being withheld as officials notify his next of kin. Rice said the crews used oxygen to revive a cat that was removed from the house, and the pet was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment.

The fire was under control in a half-hour, but the garage was completely burned, and the house was significantly damaged. Davis said the investigation into the cause of the fire will likely include an examination of the car, which was a BMW two-door convertible. He was unable to tell the model of the ruined car.

“It’s burnt beyond recognition,” he said.