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House fire takes life of Fulton County man

ROCHESTER, Ind. (WLFI) – A Fulton County man is dead after a fire ripped through his home early Monday morning.

The fire was reported just after 4:30 a.m. at a home in the 4000 block of East County Road 700 North, near Rochester.

Charles Fruitt, 61, was unable to make it out of the home, and investigators believe he died from smoke inhalation.

Paula Fruitt was able to make it out of the burning house through a bedroom window. Officers said she did not suffer any injuries that required medical treatment.

The couple lost two of their three dogs in the blaze.

The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental, and investigators believe the cause was electrical.

An autopsy for Charles Fruitt is scheduled for Tuesday.

Authorities said more details will be released once the investigation wraps up.