Published: November 14, 2009 08:19 pm      

Fatal fire investigated

BLUEFIELD, Va. — Investigators with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police are checking for the source of a fatal late night fire along Big Branch Road.

The Bluefield, Va. Fire Department, Bluefield, Va. Rescue Squad and other first responders were dispatched 11:03 p.m. Friday to a home at 976 Big Branch Road, said Fire Chief Jim Hardy.

Two people were at the frame home when the fire started, Hardy said. One, a woman, received serious burns.

“A gentleman was a fatality,” he said.

The sheriff’s office and arson investigators with the Virginia State Police will search for the fire’s cause. Conducting an investigation is a standard procedure whenever a fire results in a fatality, Hardy said.

The fire did not appear to be suspicious, Hardy said.

Deputy S. Catron, who was investigating the fire, was not available for comment Saturday.

Fire fighters stayed at the scene until 4:47 a.m. Saturday. Big Branch Road is approximately five miles from Bluefield, Va.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com