A Cape Girardeau man apparently set fire to his home Thursday afternoon just moments before taking his own life.

At approximately 12:45 p.m., the Cape Girardeau Fire Department was dispatched to 1010 Sturdivant St. for a house fire.

Upon their arrival, firefighters found Allen Hammond, 36, lying on a downstairs couch unconscious.

Hammonds was transported to Southeast Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:00 p.m.

Based on a preliminary investigation, it appears that Hammonds started a fire on the second level of the residence and then walked downstairs and shot himself with a small caliber handgun.

The fire caused extensive damage to the home.