An autopsy has been ordered in the death of a Whitehorse man following a house fire in Porter Creek on Saturday.

Whitehorse RCMP Cpl. Tom Wyers said this morning the autopsy is expected to take about two days. The identity of the victim isn't expected to be released until after the autopsy.

'Police were called in to investigate the fire scene and the death. Police do not consider the death suspicious,' said Wyers.

Whitehorse firefighters were the first emergency crew members to be called to the 14th Avenue fire at 9:02 a.m., Whitehorse fire chief Clive Sparks said this morning.

When they arrived on the scene with a pumper truck, ladder truck and rescue vehicle, the main floor of the home was already fully engulfed in flames.

'We were there, basically, all day,' said Sparks.

A total of 17 firefighters fought the blaze throughout the day, with about a dozen firefighters on the scene at any one time. Due to the cold temperature, firefighters took turns relieving one another for breaks.

The RCMP and ambulance service personnel were also called to the scene, with an ambulance crew staying about 2 1/2 hours, said Sparks.

When firefighters saw the extent of the blaze, they immediately contacted ambulance services because they were unsure whether there was anyone inside and in case firefighters on the scene needed any medical attention as they worked.

It wasn't until after the blaze was extinguished that the body was found inside.

Sparks said it wasn't until about 6 p.m. that the firefighters were ready to leave the property, and 7:45 p.m. when they were fully back in service.

Police were on the scene of the blaze for about 4 1/2 hours with two officers initially responding to the call.

Three officers, including the forensic unit, were brought in to investigate after it was extinguished.

It's not believed the blaze was started in the home's wood stove, which doesn't appear to have been functioning when the fire started, said Wyers.

'We're still looking into the cause,' he said.

It's believed another family member lived in the dwelling but wasn't at home at the time.