A man died early this morning (May 8) in an apartment fire in the Bethlehem community of Alexander County. Shortly after 1 a.m. today, units from Bethlehem, Wittenburg, Ellendale and Grace Chapel were dispatched to 75 Pine Lane which is located just off Highway 127. When the initial units arrived they noticed that the apartment complex was engulfed in flames.

Alexander County Fire Marshall Mark Earle says a 62-year-old resident of one of the apartments passed away. Occupants of the other two units were able to escape the flames. Earle says the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking material. Two of the apartments were destroyed and the third sustained damage.

The Red Cross is assisting the other residents. The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting the Alexander County Fire Marshall’s Office with the investigation.

[Story courtesy of Rick Gilbert, WACB]