Two bodies were discovered in a house fire in Carthage.
Multiple fire departments were called to the scene on Union Church Road near New Century Middle School just before midnight Sunday evening. The State Bureau of Investigation, State Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, State Medical Examiner, Moore County Public Safety, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, and EMS were also called to the scene.
According to Carthage Fire Chief Brian Tyner, firefighters put out the fire in 30 minutes.
Two bodies, presumed to be male, were found at opposite ends of the house.
Some officials were still on the scene at 10 a.m. Monday conducting an investigation; however, fire crews and trucks were released from the scene so school traffic would not be impacted.
The bodies were sent to the medical examiner’s office for autopsies.
Photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Tia Parsons-Abel.
UPDATE:
Captain Detective Heath McKenzie with Carthage Police Department said in a phone call with Sandhills Sentinel on May 6, “The unofficial results of the autopsy showed the victims were succumbed to smoke inhalation. No foul play is suspected at this time. The community is in no imminent danger.”
McKenzie said the medical examiner’s report will be out soon and an official statement will be made then.
