Published Tuesday, 31 January 2012
The fire at the Carmeen Drive property broke out after 3pm and was reported to the fire service when a neighbour heard the smoke alarm going off.
Neighbour Cindy McKinnell said people in the area are "devastated".
"He was very well liked and well known. He was very quiet, his carers came in to help him."
A man in his 50s, understood to be a neighbour, is being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation, after he went into the home to rescue the victim.
His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Assistant Group Commander David Heyburn said: "It's very sad circumstances for the man's family and our thoughts are with them and also with his friends and neighbours who made an effort to help.
"It was a brave attempt to go into the smoke to do that but he put his own life in jeopardy because there was quite heavy smoke in there."
Local MLA Nelson McCausland has passed his condolences to the family.
"I wish to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to this man's family," the DUP representative said.
"This is a terrible tragedy and has caused great shock and sadness in the area. It will have been a distressing scene for fire fighters and PSNI officers responding to this emergency call-out.
"This is a tragic reminder of the danger posed by house fires, in particular from dangerous fumes which often result from the burning of foam and other materials."
It is believed the fire started in the living room and was confined to an armchair, but police said investigations are continuing to try and establish the exact cause.