MORGANTON, N.C. (AP) — Officials in western North Carolina say that a 54-year-old woman has died in an early-morning house fire in Burke County.
Burke County Fire Marshal Mike Willis told WBTV that a call came in shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday for a structure fire on Farris Loop in Morganton. There was a report that someone was still inside.
Firefighters arrived at the scene, and the single-story home was fully ablaze. The fire marshal said that one of the home’s occupants told first responders that someone was still inside and unable to escape.
Crews worked to put the fire out and began search and rescue efforts.
“Firefighters were unable to rescue the victim in time due to the intense fire conditions on arrival,” a press release stated.
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The victim was identified as 54-year-old Mary Louise Mode. Willis said the fire originated from a heating source in the home.
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