Elderly woman dead after a house fire in Gaston County

GASTON CO, N.C – One woman is dead after a house fire on Alexis High Shoals Road near Cane Forest Drive in Gaston County.

Gaston County Emergency officials say police were the first to arrive on the scene around 7:00 Sunday evening. Officials say officers found the home engulfed in flames.  Officials say fire crews arrived a short time later and tried to put out the flames while searching the home for occupants. Rescue crews found one person injured outside the home and an 82-year-old woman inside unresponsive. Officials say the woman was pronounced dead on the scene.

Emergency officials say the deceased and injured are related and the injured person attempted to return inside the home to save the elderly woman.

Several agencies responded to the fire including Alexis Fire Department, North Gaston Fire Department, East Gaston Fire Department, Spencer Mountain Road Fire Department, Stanley Fire Department , Gaston County Police Department, GEMS, and GCOEMFS.

Investigators say the fire started in the living room with items near a space heater.