Deputies identify 51-year-old man killed in Rowan County house fire

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Officials are now working to determine what kept a Rowan County man from escaping an early morning fire that torched his home.

Rowan County officials told Channel 9 that one person was missing after the home went up in flames and crews were working to find out if that person was inside, but later confirmed one person had died.

The victim was identified as 51-year-old Donald Ray Basinger.

>> We first updated WSOCTV news app users with a notification at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday that the victim had been identified. Download the WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and get updates on breaking stories as they come in.

Officials said six departments responded to a fire around 4:30 a.m. at a home on Rimer Road in Salisbury. Bostian Heights Fire Chief Michael Zimmerman said crews tried to enter the home when they first started their battle against the blaze, but could not.

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“We tried to make an initial attack,” Zimmerman said. “(There was) too much fire – a real heavy volume of fire to get in.”

Neighbors echoed that sentiment of the ferocity of the fire. Donnie Rose said the fire burned so hot and bright, all he could see at times was the flames and smoke – not the house.

"I came out and it was in flames and knowing that he was in there really breaks my heart,” Rose said.

Rimer Road was blocked off with law enforcement and fire trucks for hours as crews worked to get the flames under control.

Investigators said they do not suspect any foul play, but have not yet released any information about the fire's cause.

They did, however, find a cat on the property they believe belonged to Basinger. They’ll try to rehome the animal with one of Basinger’s friends or family members.

Cox Media Group