THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503120285
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
A man believed to be in his 50s was killed early Saturday when flames swept through the recreational vehicle in which he was sleeping.
Authorities believe they know the identity of the man, but because the body was badly burned, identification cannot be confirmed until an examination is completed by the State Medical Examiner's office in Norfolk.
Greg Orfield, an investigator with the fire marshal's office, said the fire in the 2400 block of Benefit Road was reported at 4:18 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found the motor home engulfed in flames. It was parked in the driveway of a home and flames were spreading to that structure as well.
Orfield said firefighters were able to stop the flames from causing more than exterior damage to the house, but that there was nothing to be done to save the motor home or anyone inside. The body was found in the rear of the vehicle.
The owner of the motor home, who is believed to be the victim, traveled the country in it, Orfield said. While the man is a city resident and has a home elsewhere, he was apparently spending the night in the motor home while visiting friends on Benefit Road.
The cause of the fire was traced to a stove in the motor home's kitchen. ``He had previously used the stove surface for heating,'' Orfield said. ``The furnace in the motor home was not operational.''
KEYWORDS: FIRES FATALITY
by CNB