CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities in Caldwell County are investigating after a woman was found dead Monday afternoon in a home that had been engulfed in flames.
The fire started shortly after 2 p.m. at a mobile home on Parkview Road in the Draco/Little River Community, east of Lenoir. Three different fire departments were called to the scene to battle the blaze.
Breaking Caldwell County- just confirmed both state and local investigators are on the scene of a deadly fire in the Draco community east of Lenoir. Someone driving along Parkview road spotted flames coming from the home this afternoon.
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) December 31, 2019
Firefighters said when they searched the home, they found the woman’s body on the floor.
They’ve identified the victim as Elsie Mathalene Watson.
There was extensive damage inside the home, where the owner’s wheelchair and a walker could be seen near the front door.
At this point, investigators can’t say whether Watson died in the fire or prior to it starting.
They’re hoping an autopsy will provide more answers in the case.
“We didn’t see no cars that actually stayed here. There were no cars here that were runnable. We did have a neighbor come up and ask if everybody was out and that’s when we started figuring out there could be somebody in here,” Little River Fire Chief Shane Greene said.
Crews were able to quickly get the fire under control, but several firefighters stayed at the home to extinguish hot spots, protect the victim’s body and secure the scene for an investigation.
The fire marshal, along with the State Bureau of Investigations and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, are still trying to determine what caused the fire.
The American Red Cross is also helping the victim’s family.
If you have information about this case, authorities said to call the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-757-2324.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.
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