An early morning fire in Forsyth County led to one fatality.
Just before 6 a.m., the Forsyth County Fire Department (FCFD) was called to investigate smoke and a suspected brush fire on Holtzclaw Road.
On arrival, the first crew on the scene confirmed it was a structure fire not a brush fire as the source was tucked back behind a long driveway.
FCFD Division Chief Jason Shivers said the fire was contained within an hour of crews arriving, but suppression efforts lasted throughout the morning, with it considered being put out around 11 a.m.
“It [the home] had completely collapsed in on itself and had fallen into the basement,” Shivers said. “So those kind of operations are just extensive.”
The single-story home on a basement was fully involved and soon after arrival, family members confirmed that an adult man was believed to be inside.
A few hours into the incident, fire crews found human remains inside the structure.
“We can’t confirm that is the person that the family told us should be there,” Shivers said.
Identification for the victim will come from the Forsyth County Coroner’s Office.
A dog and a cat were also found deceased.
“As you can imagine, the family is very distraught,” Shivers said.
Over 25 fire personnel responded to the scene and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“We know that someone is lost and we extend our condolences,” Shivers said.
