Published: November 04, 2009 09:42 am      

Lake area man dies in early morning fire

TOOL — A 78-year-old Tool man on oxygen, who had just been released from the hospital, died in a fire in the Lakeway Estates subdivision last week.

Robert Dunn, 78, was pronounced dead by Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace, Dale Blaylock, last Tuesday morning.

The man’s wife, escaped the fire, which originated in the room where Dunn was, and where the oxygen was located.

“They arrived on the scene and the fire was coming out,” said Fire Chief, Mike Howell.

“Someone evidently told them there was a man in there,” Howell said.

The woman got out.

Howell said he and firefighter Shaun Williams entered the house and got to the man in an attempt to rescue him.

Unfortunately, he had already died, Howell said..

Blaylock said the man died from smoke inhalation and thermo burns, but also ordered the body sent to Dallas for autopsy.

Dale Blaylock said the man died of smoke inhalation.

Howell, said the fire department for the City of Tool did a good job containing the blaze to just one room.

The fire department got the call at 5:40 a.m. and responded with seven firefighters.

County Fire Marshal John Holomb was in school this week and could not be reached for comment.

Charles Stiff contributed to story.