BOSTON -- A man died Thursday when a fire broke out in his Swampscott home.

NewsCenter 5's Jim Morelli reported that Philip Kenneally, 61, was killed in the fire at 77 Plymouth Ave. at about 12:45 p.m.

VIDEO: Man Killed In Fire

Witnesses said that thick, black smoke could be seen billowing out of the home.

"I pulled up, and there was smoke coming from the basement. They were breaking windows," one witness said.

"There was a lot of smoke. No flames were really visible," another witness said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials said that it started in the basement of the home. Neighbors said Kenneally was a local carpenter.

"He was a painter and a handyman. He did a lot of work around the neighborhood," one resident said.

"Nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. He was a big, strong guy -- over 6 feet," another resident said.

NewsCenter 5 and TheBostonChannel.com will have more information when it becomes available.