RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — One person is dead and another severely hurt after a house fire in Rutherford County on Tuesday, WLOS reports.
Rutherford County Fire Marshal Frankie Hamrick told WLOS the fire started at the Davis Lake Road home about 1 p.m. One person died at the scene and another was flown to the hospital with severe burns.
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A family member at the scene told WLOS the victims were her aunt and uncle. She said her uncle was being transferred to the burn center in Augusta, Georgia.
Smoke was still billowing from the home more than seven hours after the fire started. Crews with the Sandy Mush Fire Department were first to arrive, Hamrick said.
Initial reports of a home explosion were denounced by Hamrick, who said, although it is still early in the investigation, any explosions would likely be attributed to oxygen tanks used by one of the victims.
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Although the cause of the fire has not been determined, Hamrick said the point of origin was the living room.
Cliffside Area Fire and Rescue, Ellenboro Fire Department, SDO Volunteer Fire Department, Rutherford County EMS, Rutherford County Emergency Management, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Highway Patrol also responded to the scene.
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