Update: Structure Fire and Fatal Residence Fire
Residential electrical fire and second, separate fire, a person succumbed to smoke inhalation.
With assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the official determination of the fire was found to be accidental/electrical.
The Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue responded to two consecutive structure fires late Wednesday into early Thursday morning. All companies were dispatched to the first structure fire located at 502 Harding Avenue, at 10:40 PM. Fire crews arrived quickly to the scene and had a rapid knock down of the fire. Also assisting with fire control efforts was Hugo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. Lenoir County Emergency Medical Services set up a rehab area for the firefighters during the incident. No one was home at the fire residence, due to the tenant was at work. The neighbor, located at 502 ½ Harding Avenue, was home at the time and had already evacuated the structure, prior to our arrival, due to being alerted by her smoke detectors within her residence. There was only minimal smoke damage within her apartment.
Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue’s Origin and Cause Fire Investigation Team conducted an investigation after the fire was extinguished. The origin of the fire was located in the bedroom of the residence. The cause of the fire was determined to be an accidental electrical fire due to an overloaded electrical receptacle in the bedroom. The tenant of 502 Harding Avenue and 502 ½ Harding Avenue were assisted by the Eastern Carolina Red Cross, Lenoir County Chapter with temporary housing accommodations.
On November 02, 2023 at approximately 1:37 AM, all companies were dispatched to 624 Fields Street in reference to a second structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered 75% involvement of the structure, with fire reaching twenty to thirty feet into the air. Crews made an aggressive transitional attack, and entered the structure to attempt a search for possible victims. Upon entry the crews had to evacuate the structure due to roof collapse. A defensive operation was set up. When crews had a knock down on the fire, a deceased victim was found during our primary search. While searching a firefighter received minor injuries from a fall within the structure and was sent to UNC Lenoir to be fully assessed. The firefighter was assessed and released.
The decedent succumbed to smoke inhalation prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. Also assisting with fire control efforts was Southwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. Lenoir County Emergency Medical Services set up a rehab area for the firefighters during the incident.
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