A Brookhaven homeowner escaped injury Thursday when afirefighter found him inside a burning home.

When firefighters arrived in the early afternoon at the home ofDaniel and Sally Buie at 409 Crider Drive, heavy smoke wasbillowing from the house from a fire in the attic, Fire Chief BobWatts said.

Firefighter Steve Davis found Daniel Buie inside the house andescorted him out, he said.

“He had been asleep and apparently became disoriented in thesmoke when he woke up,” Watts said.

Buie was treated for smoke inhalation in the home’s front yardwhile firefighters worked to put out the fire.

The fire was extinguished within minutes after arrival.

“The fire was contained to the attic,” Watts said. “There wasabout 25 percent smoke and water damage throughout the home.”

Firefighters also saved the family cat and brought it to Buiewhile he was recovering on the lawn.

Firefighters returned to the home this morning to see if theycould determine what caused the fire, Watts said. They were joinedby a state fire marshal’s investigator.

“We don’t suspect anything out of the ordinary,” he said. “We’rejust trying to determine what happened.”

Watts said preliminary information indicates the fire was causedby an electrical short in the attic.