LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Two men were found dead in a Lincolnton house fire Sunday after one of them threatened to kill his dad with a machete, police say.
Officers responded to East Catawba Street around 12:30 p.m. after 54-year-old Andrew Doremus called 911 saying he had been attacked and needed help. When they got there, they said Doremus told them that his son, 24-year-old Michael Doremus, had attacked him with a wooden object and held a machete to his throat threatening to kill him.
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According to police, officers then went to Michael Doremus’ home on East Catawba Street to question him about the attack but when they got there, the front door was open and the home was engulfed in flames and smoke.
Once the Lincolnton Fire Department was able to get the fire under control, investigators said they found Michael Doremus inside long with 20-year-old Brandon Lee Thomas. Michael Doremus was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas was flown to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem where he later passed away.
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It’s unclear what caused the fire but the Lincolnton Police Department, Lincolnton Fire Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are investigating.
If anyone has any information pertaining to this case please contact the Lincolnton Police Department 704-736-8900 or Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.
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