LESLIE -- A man who escaped from his burning mobile home early Friday but went back inside to save two dogs, died when he was overcome by flames, Searcy County Sheriff Joey Pruitt said.
The man, whom authorities did not identify pending notification of his family, was in his early 50s, the sheriff said.
The fire was reported at 12:11 a.m. at the mobile home about a mile east of Leslie on Arkansas 66. Volunteer firefighters from departments in Leslie, Oxley and Marshall battled the blaze which, Pruitt said, engulfed the home.
Witnesses said the man made it outside, but then returned to rescue two dogs. Pruitt said the victim was found badly burned after firefighters extinguished the fire.
Information regarding the condition of the dogs was not immediately available.
The victim's stepfather was treated and released from the Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton for cuts to his hands, Pruitt said. A deputy said the stepfather told medical personnel that he "told them about the electrical system" before he was taken to the hospital, Pruitt said.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire, but no foul play is suspected, Pruitt said.
State Desk on 02/13/2016