Robert Lockhart, 48, was in an upstairs bathroom either taking a bath or getting ready to take one when the fire started. His son, Kyle, 14, called authorities at 11:30 a.m. and was able to get out of the house.
Fire investigators do not yet know what caused the fire but no foul play is suspected, department spokesman Dave Koch said.
Thelma Simmons said Robert Lockhart, his wife, Pamela, and their two children had lived next door to her for about 13 years.
Pamela Lockhart had gone to the doctor earlier in the morning and wasn't home when the fire started, Simmons said.
Lockhart had worked third shift at the nearby Hardee's restaurant for two years. He'd left that job two to three months ago to work as a plumber, Hardee's shift leader Tina Moore said last night.
"He was a pretty friendly guy, very devoted to his family and his children especially," she said.
Firefighters entered the home from the back and quickly carried Lockhart out, where firefighters, police officers and paramedics worked to revive him.
Paramedics took Lockhart to Mercy Medical Center after working on him for about 20 minutes behind the house.
Smoke continued to come from the home's roof as they worked. Neighbors stood across the street watching, some with tears in their eyes.
Information from: The Gazette
