One person, one pet dead after house fire in SE Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va. – LATEST, 7/21, 3:30 P.M.

10 News has learned that one person died after a house fire in southeast Roanoke on Monday afternoon. Another person was hospitalized after jumping out of the house.

Roanoke Fire-EMS said Tuesday that crews found the remains of a family pet, and two other animals are still unaccounted for.

Roanoke Fire-EMS has corrected its original release of information, which incorrectly stated that two people were dead and another was suspected dead. They originally thought there were children in the house but they were safely located.

Authorities said this is one of the largest house fires Roanoke has seen in a while.

Firefighters spent nearly an hour working to contain the flames that engulfed the home on Stewart Avenue.

Chief David Hoback with Roanoke Fire-EMS said one person died before firefighters made it to the scene. Another person managed to escape by jumping through a window, and has been hospitalized.

The medical examiner is working to confirm the identity of the person who died.

The fire started on the first floor and worked its way to the second floor through the walls, according to Roanoke Fire-EMS.

One firefighter was sent to the hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion.

Hoback said on hot days, when temperatures are nearing 100 degrees, crews have to take every precaution to stay safe.

“It’s 100 degrees out here, so I guarantee it was 1,500 degrees inside that building because it was hot, you could tell by how the smoke was coming out and the color of the flames coming out,” said Hoback.

The fire marshal has not determined what caused the fire, and it remains under investigation. The estimated cost of damage from the fire is $125,000. Roanoke Fire-EMS said the house next door also sustained damage from the fire, displacing one person and several pets.

Roanoke Fire-EMS also battled another fire on Monday afternoon up the street on Wise Avenue. It was determined to be incendiary. There were no injuries and the fire was quickly put out, authorities said. According to Roanoke Fire-EMS, neighbors in the area reported seeing kids in and out of the apartment, who are believed to have started the fire.

Roanoke Fire-EMS said the Stewart Avenue fire is not believed to be related to the Wise Avenue fire. Anyone with information about either fire is asked to call either the City of Roanoke’s Fire Marshal’s Office at 540-853-2795 or the Roanoke Police Department at 540-344-8500. You can also text RPD at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.

UPDATE

Authorities on scene told 10 News that two people are dead and another is suspected dead after a house fire in southeast Roanoke on Monday afternoon.

Two children and one adult were missing after the fire, while one person was able to safely escape, according to Roanoke Fire-EMS.

ORIGINAL STORY

Three people are missing after a house fire on the 1600 block of Stewart Avenue SE, according to Roanoke Fire-EMS.

We’re told the call came in around 1:50 p.m. Monday.

Heavy smoke and flames were showing when firefighters arrived.

10 News reporter Annie Schroeder reports at least three dozen firefighters responded and found heavy smoke and flames showing

We’re told it took 30-40 minutes to get the fire under control.

Officials say one person was able to escape, but they are still looking for two children and an adult.

One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

This is a developing story.

Watch 10 News at 5 for the latest.