Officials: Fatal fire likely caused by space heater

A late evening fire Tuesday claimed the life of an 83-year-old man who called 911 for help but was unable to escape and collapsed before he could get out through his back door, officials said.

James E. Thorpe of Linnet Loop in North Augusta was home alone at his residence around 8 p.m. when a fire ignited in a rear room of the home, said North Augusta Public Safety Fire Department Capt. Charles Williams.

Thorpe was known to sleep in that back room, officials said.

Several officers gave the man CPR while others extinguished the fire that investigators said likely started next to the couch Thorpe had been sleeping on.

Either a space heater tipped over and caught blankets on fire or there was an electrical short, said Williams.

"The fire damage was just in that one room," he added.

His neighbors rushed outside and met with firefighters who told them they could see the man's feet at the back door of his single-story brick home. Firefighters went into the house and pulled the victim out of the burning home.

Thorpe had a pulse, but he had severe burns on his back and face, and he did not respond to the fire crews.

He was gasping for air when they tried to help him, firefighters reported.

Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said the man died at Doctor's Hospital from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.

Thorpe was burned very badly, Williams said.

"He probably jumped up and tried to get out and was breathing in those hot gases," the fire captain explained. "He had a lot of respiratory damage."

He was burnt over the majority of his body.

Thorpe had used a cane and may have had trouble getting out of the home.

A pet dog also died. It was found dead inside the residence, officials said.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.