Officials identify 2 seniors who died in large fire at Rowan County home

ROCKWELL, N.C. — Two seniors are dead after a large fire at a home in Rowan County Sunday morning, officials said.

On Monday, firefighters identified the victims as Larry Brown, 69, and Brenda Basinger, 72.

Firefighters responded to the house at around 11:30 a.m. on Double Thumb Road near Song Bird Lane.

Firefighters said it took around two hours to get the flames under control, and 20 departments responded to assist with the fire.

“There was a lot of bystanders outside. They didn’t see anybody come out of the house,” said fire Chief Alan Shinn at the Rockwell Fire Department.

Neighbors shared memories of Brown and Basinger.

“She was a very loving person. A very caring person. Her husband and my husband were best friends all their life,” said neighbor Carolyn Bost.

Firefighters struggled to put out the flames because the home is in a rural area in Rockwell. Officials said there were no fire hydrants nearby, so they had to use tanker trucks to haul water to the scene.

“I got up and heard a couple of explosions and looked outside and saw some smoke,” said neighbor Jennifer Shoe.

Firefighters speculated the explosions Shoe heard were from oxygen tanks cooking off from the fire. Both victims used oxygen, according to officials.

“By the time I got up here, the right side of the house was fully in flames, and they were coming out of the house,” Shoe said.

Officials said the house is a total loss due to the damage, and are working to determine how the fire started.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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