Charles Palmer, 78, was the man who died early Saturday in a fire that broke out in the living room of his home at 809 North 12th St. in Temple, fire officials said Monday.

Fire investigators said a lamp ignited the fire.

Neighbors told investigators Palmer was hard of hearing and subject to episodes of confusion and disorientation, the fire department said.

Investigators think Palmer walked into the burning living room, became disoriented and was unable to escape from the house.

Firefighters heard a smoke alarm sounding as they entered the house to attempt a rescue.

Neighbors also attempted to rescue Palmer Saturday, but were driven back by the flames, was a Temple police officer who also tried to enter the burning home, fire officials said.

Palmer was the sixth Temple resident to die in fire in the last five months.

Kathy Ramirez, 35, and her children Eric Ramirez, 14, and twins Devin and Isaiah Blackmon, 5, found dead in home at 1609 N. 5th St. in Temple where investigators found evidence of a fire.

Lela Johnson died in September, three days after she was burned in a kitchen fire at her home in the 500 block of South 17th Street in Temple.

RECENT CENTRAL TEXAS FIRE FATALITIES:

Jan. 14, 2004: Firefighters find body of Rogelio Vega, 48, in house on FM 2113 north of Moody, after putting out fire that started late 01/13/04.

Feb. 08, 2004: Randy Leasley, 52, China Spring boy’s basketball coach, dies in fire in home at 159 Martin Dr.

Mar. 02, 2004: Gary Cheney, 53, wife Patricia, 51, die in mobile home fire in Moffat, Bell County.

July 08,2004: William Waddington, 51, dies at Burn Center in Dallas of burns suffered in 07/03/04 fire at his home at 2900 Illinois, Apt. 804 in Killeen. Smoking in room in which oxygen in use the cause.

Aug. 20, 2004: Kathy Ramirez, 35, and her children Eric Ramirez, 14, and twins Devin and Isaiah Blackmon, 5, found dead in home at 1609 N. 5th St. in Temple. Evidence of fire found. Deaths accidental according to preliminary autopsy results released 08/23/04.

Sept. 29, 2004: Lela Johnson died 09/29/04 of burns sustained on 09/26/04 fire in the kitchen of her home in the 500 block of South 17th St. In Temple.

Dec. 11, 2004: Thomas Renfro, 33, Jeffrey Soto, 10, Paul Stocks, 13, die in house fire in McGregor.

Jan. 29, 2005: William Kenneth Williams, 73, wife Marilyn Kittrell Williams, 70, died in fire in three-story house at 388 Private Rd. 3670 off County Road 3660 in Bosque County. Husband reportedly escaped from the house, asked a neighbor to call for help, then re-entered and was unable to escape.