WAYNE CO., Ky. (WKYT) - 4 people were inside the home when it caught on fire late Thursday night, but only one person survived.

“They’re good people to me. They was. Was very close. Loved them to death,” said Jack Roberts of his neighbors on Ky. 1009 in the Alpha community of Wayne County.

Roberts has fond memories of Doug “Shorty” Walker, his wife Melvina, her grandson, Jaimie and his sister Samantha.

“I know when they went to bed last night they didn’t expect this. We need to be ready,” said Roberts.

Investigators say they don’t know how the fire started, only that something in the bathroom sparked it. They’re not sure if the home had smoke detectors.

“This is sure a bad time on the family. We need to keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Roberts.

Samantha Gregory survived the fire when a neighbor heard her banging on the window and he rushed in and pulled her out. He said the smoke was too thick to save the others.

But neighbors did save the 3-year old's puppy, that may have suffered a broken paw in the fire. The fire has left this small community with a broken heart.

“A good friend to me. A good neighbor to a lot of people. Shorty was a like a lot of us….we got our ways,” said Roberts.

The cause is under investigation but no foul play is suspected.

The Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home in Monticello is handling arrangements for the family.