BEDFORD -- A 63-year old man died early Thursday in a house fire in Calhoun County’s Bedford Township.  A woman at the single story home in the 100-block of Saratoga Avenue escaped with apparent minor injuries.  The man’s name has not yet been released.

Township Fire Chief Larry Cochensparger told us the fatal victim was disabled and used a wheelchair causing the woman difficulty in attempting to help him out of the residence.  She was outside when firemen arrived.  He was found in the back bedroom where Cochensparger said the fire was apparently sparked by a lit candle that tipped over after the two had fallen asleep.

The alarm came in shortly after midnight and firefighters discovered heavy smoke when they reached the scene.  The man was pronounced dead at the home while the woman was treated at Battle Creek Health Systems.