AULANDER — An investigation is underway following a tragic house fire on Tuesday in Aulander that claimed the life of an elderly man despite intense efforts by firefighters to save him, according to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Harmon Street after reports of a house fire, the sheriff’s office said. When firefighters arrived on scene, they were advised that one person had escaped the burning home, but an elderly male remained trapped inside.
Firefighters battled the blaze and attempted to reach the man, but were unable to remove him from the residence in time, the sheriff’s office said. The fire resulted in a fatality, marking a devastating loss for the community.
The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office said there is no indication of foul play at this time. Investigators from multiple agencies are working to determine the cause of the fire, including the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
The victim’s name is being withheld until immediate family members have been notified, the sheriff’s office said.
The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and the Aulander Fire Department thanked the agencies and citizens who assisted, including the Millennium Fire Department, Lewiston/Woodville Fire Department, and Kelford Fire Department, which also handled a second fire call in Aulander during the incident.
Officials also expressed appreciation to the Breaking Bread restaurant in Aulander for providing meals and drinks to first responders.
