OXFORD — A man who lived alone died in a fire at his waterfront home on Hogan Pond Lane on Wednesday, police said.

The body of Peter Lowe, 55, was found by firefighters battling the blaze at 144 Hogan Pond Lane, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The house was destroyed.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 1 p.m. when witnesses reported smoke pouring from the single-story residence.

Firefighters from five towns responded. Heavy smoke was still billowing out of the windows and doors half an hour after responders arrived. 

Oxford fire Chief Scott Hunter said firefighters tore apart walls to extinguish any remaining flames and to search for the occupant.

It was too early to determine the cause of the blaze, Hunter said. 

Tim Grenier, who lives down the road, said he was passing by when he noticed smoke coming from the building and called authorities.  

Jim Paine, who also lives on the road, said he first learned about the fire when the power to his house went out. A crew from Central Maine Power was the first to arrive at the scene and cut power to the house, he said. 

At least two dozen firefighters from Oxford, Paris, Norway, Poland and Mechanic Falls responded to the fire.

State fire investigators will return to the scene Thursday to try to determine the cause, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.