By B.J. Drye

Editor

A fire Friday night claimed the life of a person, according to Albemarle Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched to a fire at 618 Thomas St. shortly after 6 p.m.

As Engine 111 arrived on the scene at 6:12 p.m., firefighters could see flames and smoke coming from the house. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, records show.

A woman was discovered deceased inside the residence.

The Albemarle Fire Marshal’s Office, along with The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Investigation Team, are conducting an origin and cause investigation.

The identity of the victim is being withheld until a positive identification can be made by a medical examiner, officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but no criminal acts are suspected, according to Fire Marshal Michael Roark.

The fire began in one of the home’s bedrooms, with the remainder of the house having heat and smoke damage estimated at $50,000. Investigators found two smoke alarms inside the house, but they could not determine if they were working at the time of the fire.

Officials urge residents to check and maintain working smoke alarms in their residences. Anyone not having a working smoke detector is asked to contact their local fire department for assistance.