A Lincoln County man died in his home after it caught fire lateFriday night, officials said.

Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris said James Andrew “Andy”Hutson, 57, died as a result of a fire at this home at 2213 WarrenRoad SE shortly after midnight Friday.

Fire Coordinator Clifford Galey said the blaze was reported around12:15 a.m., and that the home was fully involved in flames whenfirefighters arrived. Members of the East Lincoln, Heuck’s Retreatand Ruth volunteer fire departments contained the fire beforeofficials were able to retrieve Hutson’s body from the home.Officials said Hutson’s dog was found by his side, about 5 feetfrom the front door.

The fire is under investigation, officials said, and Hutson’s bodyhas been sent to the state crime lab for autopsy. In addition, thestate fire marshal will be brought in early this week.

“It’s just normal procedure in any case where you have a death in afire,” said Sheriff Steve Rushing. “My fire investigators arelooking at it and the state fire marshal is coming down early thisweek to look at it.”

Rushing said all indicators point to an accidental fire, but thatwhen there is a fatality in a fire situation, investigations areroutine.

“We’re going through the normal procedures, because you always justwant to make sure when you’ve got a death from a fire,” Rushingsaid.

McMorris said Riverwood Family Funeral Service will handle thearrangements, which are incomplete.