Fire and county medical officials have ruled the death of a North Bend man was caused by smoke inhaled during a house fire early Monday morning.

According to Coos County Medical Examiner Kris Karcher, Jerry Jeffries died due to smoke inhalation. Jeffries stayed behind to fight a fire in the living room of his rental home, after his wife Cheryl fled to a neighbor's home to call 911, said Coos County Deputy Fire Marshal Keith Brown.

According to the North Bend Police log, at about 3:36 a.m., a neighbor reported a fire at 3551 Edgewood Drive. Upon arrival, North Bend firefighters discovered the living room was fully engulfed in flames, with heavy smoke spreading throughout the home.

North Bend firefighters quickly doused the blaze, which was mostly contained to the living room, said North Bend Assistant Fire Chief Jim Brown.

According to Fire Marshal Brown, the blaze was started by a space heater in the living room. The portable heater malfunctioned, causing the plastic casing to melt into the carpet and catch the rug on fire, he said. The blaze has been ruled accidental, he added.

Brown urged county residents to use caution in using heaters and check fire detectors.

The family has been referred to the American Red Cross relief office, and is staying with Cheryl Jeffries' older son, officials said.