A 49-year-old Brookhaven man was killed in a Saturday afternoonhouse fire on Dunn-Ratcliff Road, said Lincoln CountyCoroner-Medical Examiner Morris Henderson.

Tommie L. Butler, of 961 Dunn-Ratcliff Road, died in the firethat started around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Henderson said. A brother,who was not identified, was also in the house but escaped withoutinjury, Henderson said.

“No one knows what happened at this particular time,” Hendersonsaid Saturday night about the cause of the fire.

Neighbors told the fire marshal they heard an explosion,Henderson said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation,authorities said.

Henderson said Butler was found near the door to the home, whichwas destroyed. Butler was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:30p.m., Henderson said.

An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday in Pearl, Henderson said.Williams Mortuary is in charge of arrangements, which areincomplete.

The fire was reported at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Loyd Star and NewSight Volunteer Fire Departments, along with personnel from otherdepartments, responded to the blaze, authorities said.