SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two people died after a house fire in Spotsylvania early Tuesday morning.
According to authorities, the Spotsylvania Emergency Communications Center received a phone call around 2:18 a.m. from a neighbor reporting a residential structure fire in the 11700 block of Post Oak Road. Within minutes, crews from five fire stations were dispatched and responded to fight the flames, supply water and provide emergency medical care.
The first units arrived at 2:27 a.m. to find the home well-involved in fire. Crews conducted an aggressive attack on the fire, simultaneously conducting a search for occupants, while tankers hauled water from a hydrant located miles away.
Within 10 minutes of arrival, crews located and removed one female occupant who was not breathing. They began life-saving efforts, but the patient went into cardiac arrest during transport. She later died at the hospital. A second victim was found inside shortly after the first occupant was located, but had already succumbed to the fire.
The victims have been identified as 65-year-old Barbara Howe and 63-year-old Jerry Yarrington.
The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of arrival. One firefighter sustained minor burn injuries and was treated on the scene.
The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation.
While it is not yet clear if the home had working smoke detectors, officials want to remind the community that a working smoke detector can provide the early notice required to alert your family of a fire and increase the chances of a successful escape from a burning building. Check your smoke detector batteries monthly. Fire officials recommend changing batteries when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time in the spring and fall.
Stay with 8News for more on this developing story.
