PATTERSON, La. — A fire that apparently was started by an electric blanket killed a 78-year-old Patterson man at his residence early today, according to Patterson Fire Chief Sherel Martin.

The Patterson Fire Department responded to a call at 2:36 a.m. at 133 Shady Grove. The first pumper truck arrived at the scene at 2:44 a.m., Martin said.

Upon arrival, heavy fire and smoke was protruding from the residence. The residence was fully engulfed in flames, and fire and smoke was ventilating out of the roof, Martin said.

John Adam Fulmer III was found in a back bedroom closet and pronounced dead by the St. Mary Parish coroner’s office, Martin said.

His wife, Midge Fulmer, who escaped before firefighters arrived, told firefighters that the fire started after an electric blanket caught fire in the back bedroom, Martin said.

The fire was controlled by 3:30 a.m., Martin said. Two pumping trucks and one rescue truck was used in fighting the fire, and 19 volunteer firefighters help fight the fire.

The last unit finished fighting the fire by 8 a.m., Martin said.

Reports were filed with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office, the Patterson Police Department and the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department, Martin said.

The investigation has been turned over to the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, Martin said.