Two individuals have been indicted in connection with a blaze that claimed the life of the Lexington fire chief, Ronnie Metcalf, in North Carolina, authorities confirmed.
The Lexington Fire Department disclosed that Captain Ronnie Metcalf succumbed to his injuries on Friday, following severe burns covering 60% of his body sustained a few days earlier.
Firefighters rushed to the scene of a residential fire shortly after midnight on Tuesday, observing flames and smoke emanating from the rear of the property. Despite initial attempts to quench the blaze by entering the premises, crews were compelled to evacuate moments later, according to LFD statements.
During the evacuation, Metcalf was reported missing, prompting search teams to re-enter the burning structure in pursuit of the fire chief.
Metcalf, boasting 19 years of service with LFD, received on-site treatment for burn wounds before being airlifted to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.
The cause of the inferno remains under scrutiny. On Saturday, the Lexington Police Department disclosed the arrests of two individuals—Brandon Alan Hoskins, 31, and Stacie Blair Stegall, 37—on charges of misdemeanor breaking and entering linked to the incident.
Authorities refrained from furnishing further details regarding Hoskins and Stegall’s potential involvement in the fire. Nevertheless, police announced the duo’s apprehension at another site they had unlawfully accessed. Subsequently, Hoskins and Stegall faced additional charges of misdemeanor breaking and entering.
During a search of the location where the pair was apprehended, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting illegal drug possession. Consequently, Hoskins and Stegall were slapped with felony charges of methamphetamine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The accused are presently confined to Davidson County Jail without bond pending their initial court appearance, according to law enforcement.
Police underscored the active nature of the investigation, with multiple agencies collaborating, including the Lexington Fire Department, Lexington Fire Marshal’s Office, Davidson County Fire Marshal’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and North Carolina Bureau of Insurance.
