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(File photo) An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire Getty

A South Carolina man has died after returning to a burning building to retrieve his phone.

The 22-year-old, who has not been identified, died after a single-wide trailer caught fire in Anderson County in the early hours of 10 August.

He was inside the mobile home along with 17-year girl and another woman, whose age is not known.

All three managed to make it out of the fire safely, but the 22-year old went back to retrieve his phone and never returned, according to Anderson County Deputy Coroner Charlie Boseman.

The man's body was later found in the back bedroom of the mobile home. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine a cause of death.

Homeland Park Fire Department said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but at this stage of the investigation they believe it may have started as a result of a cigarette.

Earlier this year, a man in South Dakota was arrested after he ran into a burning building twice in order to save a couple of cans of beer inside.

Michael Casteel, 56, was arrested for obstructing firefighters and violating the 24/7 sobriety program after ignoring police instructions and running inside the building for two cans of Bud Ice.

"This incredibly poor judgement could have put many responders at risk," Sioux Falls Police said at the time.