A 60-year-old Macon man died Sunday in a house fire on Northern Street that appears to be accidental, officials said.

Horace Maddox, 60, of 853 Northern Street, died of apparent smoke inhalation after being trapped in his bathroom, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said.

Jones said there were signs of smoke inhalation, but no signs of any burns to his body. With the crime lab closed Monday because of Veterans Day, an autopsy will be performed Tuesday morning, Jones said.

Officials said a call came into 911 at 12:04 p.m. and members of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department had the blaze under control quickly.

Richard Meredith, who works at Fincher’s Barbeque just up the road on Gray Highway, said he and other employees noticed smoke coming from the residence before the fire engines arrived. He said he tried to get inside the house, but the flames made it impossible.

“We heard him in there, and we tried to get him out, but we couldn’t get inside,” he said.

Macon Police Deputy Chief Mike Carswell said investigators were still at the scene Sunday afternoon, but it appears the fire was accidental.

“There didn’t seem anything like a criminal act,” Carswell said.

Carswell said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Karen Jackson, Maddox’s sister, said her brother didn’t have any problems with anyone. He worked as a landscaper and loved fishing and watching movies, she said.

“He was a kind and loving person,” she said.

To contact writer Phillip Ramati, call 744-4334.