LENOIR, NC (May 23, 2019) — Little River Community – On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 02:57 a.m. Little River Fire Department, with automatic mutual aid from Grace Chapel Fire Department, responded to a reported residential structure fire at 6102 Log Cabin Place in the Little River Community of Caldwell County. Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered heavy fire from the rear of the residence. Additional resources were requested, bringing Ellendale (Alexander County), Sawmills, Hudson, Valmead, Granite Falls fire departments for assistance with extinguishing the fire, and Kings Creek Fire Department provided backfill for Little River during the incident. Caldwell County EMS provided medical coverage and the American Red Cross provided assistance to the family. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, which, fortunately spared the lives of the owners, Gregory and Patricia Fox, and their daughter, Grecia Barlowe.
Residents were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke, found fire in the rear of the residence involving the enclosed porch and attempted to extinguish same with buckets of water before becoming overwhelmed by smoke and heat. It took firefighters approximately 30-45 minutes to bring the fire under control and worked an additional period of time to extinguish hot spots and the remaining fire. No injuries to residents, their animals or the first responders were reported, and the home is considered a total loss.
Caldwell County Fire Marshal’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, the NC State Bureau of Investigation and ATF are actively investigating this incident. At this time, the fire has been deemed incendiary in nature, a fire by human hands, and is considered an active investigation. Any information that may assist these agencies with their investigation should be reported to Caldwell County Crime Stoppers at (828)758-8300. You do not have to reveal your name. The Crime Stoppers phone line is operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Press Release courtesy of:
Dino DiBernardi, CFO, CEMSO
Chief of Department/Emergency Services Director
Caldwell County Emergency Services