ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — “The whole community lost a great citizen. He would do anything for anybody,” a neighbor said of the man who died in an early morning mobile house fire in Rowan County on Sunday.
Rex Shelton was fun, active, and brought joy to the community, Angie Spillman says. When he died, she says the community was heartbroken.
“It just impacted us all in different ways. And I think that the best thing that what Rex would want is for us to step back and see what we can do to help our community,” she said.
Spillman says she could go on and on about Rex, who was her neighbor of 20 years.
She says she’s the one who called 911 around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, prompting deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office to the fire on Mahaley Road.
“My son woke me and my husband up to yelling Rex’s house is on fire. And we all jumped up there,” she said.
The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
She shared these pictures and video of the fire, where you can see the American flag and Marine flag standing tall:
Shelton and his dog were found in the house after the fire was extinguished.
“He loved his companion. He loved his dog Sergeant Shane. He took him with him everywhere,” Spillman said.
Multiple agencies are investigating the cause of the fire.
This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: Person dies following crash involving emergency vehicles in Rowan County, troopers say)
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