BRANDON, Iowa (AP) -- A La Porte City man has died while apparently trying to rescue a friend who turned out not to be inside his burning home.
Steven Harrill, 50, died early Saturday.
``He could see the fire was bad, but he went in there for me without even thinking,'' said John Slager, 46, whose home was destroyed by the fire. ``You don't get too many friends like that in a lifetime.''
When Brandon firefighters arrived about 3 a.m., someone on the scene immediately alerted them that the victim had gone in the house and had not come back out, Brandon Fire Chief Gary Albert said. Firefighters found Harrill's body inside.
The fire began near a wood-burning stove and has been ruled accidental, according to the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, says the State Fire Marshal's Office has ordered an autopsy of Harrill.
Slager said he had been drinking beer with Harrill at Phat Albert's Sports Bar in Brandon just before the 2 a.m. closing time Saturday.
When the bar closed, Slager said he left with friends to play cards in Rowley.
``I can't remember if I told Steve where I was going,'' he said.
Slager said his cars were parked in front of his home.
``He might have thought I was home or might have heard my dog barking and tried to save him,'' Slager said.
J.D., Slager's mixed breed dog, died in the fire.
Slager is living in an apartment above Phat Albert's until he can make other arrangements.
Brandon, in southwest Buchanan County, had an estimated population of 320 in 2002.
