VIDEO: One Dead After a Fire in Winston County

NANIH WAIYA, Miss. (WCBI) – It started out as speculation, but after several hours of examining the scene, the state fire marshall concluded the fire in Nanih Waiya was accidental, caused by either an electric heater or exposed, overheated electric cords.

The fire broke the Sunday night silence along Robinson Loop Road.

“Around 12:15 this morning, Louisville 9-1-1 got a call about a house fire in the Nanih Waiya community, possibility of entrapment in the house,” said Winston County Coroner, Scott Gregory.

The neighbor who made the call didn’t go on camera but did tell us the call reported more than just a fire.

It eventually spread to the propane tanks on the premises, and that’s what made the noise to wake neighbors.

“Residents in that area heard a loud boom,” continued Gregory.

“Firemen responded and said it was called that there were some explosions going on,” said Chief Deputy of Winston County Sheriff’s Department, Keith Alexander.

Once the fire was knocked down, firefighters examined the ruins.

“…and found remains around 4:15 this morning, when my office got the call,” said Gregory.

“We found a 79-year old, white male,” said Alexander.

Neighbors told us the resident had recently purchased an electric heater.

In rural communities, these heaters are common.

“Sometimes they have heaters on in the mobile, older homes that they use propane tanks inside of the house. It has a little infrared head on it to keep the house warm. Sometimes they have little plug-up heaters,” said Alexander.

These can be fire hazards, and law enforcement advise residents with these heaters to use caution.

“We always tell people make sure you have all of your furniture away from those area. In your old houses, if you have or have added central heat and air to it, have those heaters disconnected. That’s the safest thing to do,” said Alexander.

Family members identified the victim as Charles Duncan of Nanih Waiya.

However, Winston County Coroner, Scott Gregory said DNA tests are being done to confirm the identity.