SAN CARLOS, Calif. --
A woman escaped an early-morning house fire that claimed the life of her 73-year-old husband in San Carlos.
The fire was reported just after midnight at 8718 Verlain Drive on Wednesday.
Neighbors said the couple that lived in the house were Joanne and Delbert Gottke. Both were retired teachers who had lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years and were well liked, neighbors said.
The battalion chief on scene said when firefighters arrived there were large flames coming from the garage. From there, the flames spread through the house.
"It went up really fast and it was hot," said neighbor Juanita Edwards. "Everybody was in shock -- astounded -- couldn't say anything."
Flames surrounded the Gottkes as they slept and they had just minutes to get out. Joanne made it outside, but her husband collapsed inside and died, firefighters said.
"She was in a state of shock and you could hear in her voice -- I told him, 'Let's go, let's go -- he was right behind me,'" Edwards told NBC 7/39.
Neighbors said the couple were "very much in love" and never had any children, but treated neighborhood kids as their own.
Joanne Gottke had minor injuries and was taken to UCSD medical center and released. Neighbors said she is now staying with her nephew.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The house has been red-tagged.
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