House fire claims life of Buncombe County man; cause determined, fire marshal says

House fire claims life of Buncombe County man; cause determined, fire marshal says

A man died in a structure fire over the weekend in Buncombe County, officials said. Buncombe County Fire Marshal Kevin Tipton said Wednesday, May 22, that the Swannanoa Fire Department was dispatched Saturday, May 18, at 12:23 a.m. to a structure fire in the Swannanoa community of Buncombe County.

Discovery and Tragic Outcome

Crews arrived at the scene of 252 Long Branch Road, and, upon their arrival, they discovered a home fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire crew extinguished the flames, a 66-year-old male victim was found deceased inside the structure, Tipton said.

Cause of the Fire

The cause of the fire was determined to be improperly discarded smoking material, the fire marshal said, adding that his condolences go out to the victim’s family.

Conclusion and Safety Reminder

As investigations into the tragedy continue, it serves as a poignant reminder for all to practice fire safety measures and ensure proper disposal of smoking materials to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.