AN ELDERLY man has died after removing burning timber from a wood heater and leaving it on the lounge room floor, causing a smouldering fire. Murray Noble, 81, died in a fire that engulfed his South Hobart home early on Wednesday morning. Mr Noble had lived in the weatherboard house on the banks of the Hobart Rivulet for almost 50 years. He had developed dementia in recent years, and the fire is being treated as accidental. The former rail worker was alone in the house at the time of the fire. Susan Noble said her father may have died trying to escape the blaze. "I think he was found heading towards the back door, trying to get out, and the smoke has overcome him," Ms Noble said. Fire investigator Barry Bones said the fatal fire would have been slow-burning. "That's probably the thing that's been his demise because the fire hasn't started straightaway," he said. "He's probably gone back to bed and not realised until the fire was fully alight." Mr Bones said it appeared Mr Noble had attempted to extinguish the fire and leave the building, but was unsuccessful. He said a smoke alarm was fitted inside the house, but it was unclear whether it was operating correctly at the time of the fire. Mr Bones said the tragedy served as a reminder to check household smoke alarms. Fire and emergency services were called to the house soon after 4.30am, by which time the house was engulfed in flames. Two cats normally resided at the residence - one was found deceased inside the house, while another is unaccounted for. Damage to the property is estimated at $400,000.
