Halifax man dies in fire

HALIFAX — A Valley man died in an early morning fire Monday.

Lt. Bobby Martin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 32-year-old William Person.

The fire happened on Lucky Lane, Halifax, in a single-wide trailer. A kerosene heater may have been the cause.

Fire Chief Ed Johnson of the Halifax Fire Department said firefighters were called around 3:15 a.m. when a neighbor heard breaking glass outside his home and saw his neighbor’s house in flames. “When we got there it was fully involved,” said Johnson. 

After the fire was extinguished, Johnson and other firefighters examined the scene and found a person in a bedroom, next to a bed. “We think he was overcome by smoke and couldn’t get out.”

The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the fire. Neither Martin nor Johnson believe there is any foul play. Johnson said it appears the fire could have started in the kitchen or in the living room near a kerosene heater, but the origin is undetermined at this time.

Johnson said there were about a dozen firefighters on scene, Halifax F.D. supplied three engines and Weldon Fire Department provided mutual aid with one truck.