A New Wilmington-area man, described by his neighbors as friendly, caring and someone who deeply loved his children, died in a fire that broke out in his home at about 6:40 a.m. Friday, state police said.

Heath Edward Fry, 35, was the only member of his family at the home on state Route 158 in Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, when it caught fire.

"The fire has been ruled accidental," New Wilmington Fire Chief Gary Wagner said. "Unless something else comes up, there's no reason to believe it was otherwise."

Next-door neighbor Sara Wilson said Fry suffered from a debilitating bone condition that severely limited his mobility and caused him to become increasingly bent-over and less active.

"He loved his kids," Mrs. Wilson said of the man she lived next to for six years. "I think he would have done anything for them, but he was in constant pain."

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