A man who walks with a cane was not injured when he ran into a burning Columbus house to recover beer he left inside the house.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out Thursday afternoon. Residents of the home say they believe the fire was caused by a water heater.

Six adults and two young children were inside watching television when the room began filling with smoke. After the children were rescued and everyone made it outside safely, Walter Serpit told WVTM television that he went back inside to retrieve his beer.

He said he went back inside "like a dummy" and the door shut behind him. He said he was able to escape without being burned and managed to save several cans of beer.