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Fatal Fire Near Newland Thursday Morning


By Jesse Wood

One person is dead after a house fire near Newland on Thursday morning.

According to WBTV reporter Steve Ohnesorge, a passerby called for help after seeing the house in flames.

Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye said that Michele Warren, 49, died in the fire. The fire started at about 5 a.m., while her husband was at work. 

Avery County’s Assistant Fire Marshall Paul Buchanan said that the two-story house was found engulfed in the center of the home. The firefighters conducted a search, extracted Warren and attempted CPR along with EMS personnel. 

Local fire officials and the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the fatal fire and have yet to determine cause and origin of fire, according to Buchanan.

Although the investigation isn’t complete, Frye said “nothing looks suspicious” with the fire.