By Jesse Wood
Update: Boone Fire Department Capt. Mike Teague released a statement on Thursday afternoon that Dr. Brent Hall, the Watauga County medical examiner, has confirmed the identity of the victim who died in the fire on Wednesday morning – Chris Brubaker, 23, of Boone. Teague added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
March 20, 2013. Local fire departments, law enforcement and emergency medics responded to a structure fire this morning at 564 Homespun Hills Road that left one person dead, according to a spokesman with the Boone Fire Department.
911 communications for the county sent out a dispatch a little after 4 p.m. The spokesman added that firefighters and others involved will be on the scene for much of the day but didn’t have any other details to add.
Homespun Hills is located off of N.C. 105 near Fun ‘n’ Wheels.
The house, which is turned into a mini apartment complex, that caught fire is located at the end of Homespun Hills Road, which turns into a dirt road with little mountain cabins scattered about. The most damage was seen on the upper level of the complex.
Here’s release sent out by Boone Fire this morning:
“Boone Fire was dispatched to a structure fire at 564 Homespun Hills Road in Boone. While responding to the scene fire units were notified of a possible person trapped inside. The first engine arrived to find heavy fire involvement. The fire was quickly knocked down and during the initial search one victim was found. At this time the victim has not been identified and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Boone Fire was assisted by Blowing Rock Fire, Cove Creek Fire, Deep Gap Fire, Foscoe Fire, Watauga Medics, and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.
An update is expected later today.”
Update Release From Boone Fire Department Sent Out Wednesday Afternoon
On Wednesday, March 20, at approximately 03:56 the Boone Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 564 Homespun Hills. Upon arrival to the scene, smoke and heavy fire was observed coming from the second floor of the two story triplex on the A, C and D sides. During size-up, fire was determined to be coming from Unit 2 and extending into Unit 1. After the initial fire was extinguished an investigation was started to determine the cause and origin. The following was found:
ORIGIN: The fire started in the Unit 2 of the structure.
CAUSE: The fire is under investigation at this time.
ADDITIONAL: A body was recovered during the course of the investigation and delivered to the Watauga County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and cause of death. In addition to Boone Fire, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Blowing Rock, Cove Creek, Deep Gap and Foscoe Fire Departments responded tankers and personnel for support.
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