Family in disbelief after father of 7 dies in Anson County house fire

ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — The family of a man who was lost in a deadly house fire Monday morning expressed disbelief over the loss of the father of seven.

James McCray, 72, was killed in the fire that broke out early in the morning on Robinson Bridge Road in Morven in Anson County.

Sheriff's deputies are working with fire officials to determine how the fire started.

"My dad's going to be missed because we love him so much," Benjamin McCray said.

Deputies said McCray lived alone in the home.  Authorities found his body at the back door and say it appeared McCray was trying to crawl out of the house.

Deputies said McCray's neighbor called 911 just after 1 a.m., reporting that the house was fully ablaze.

Investigators have said McCray was using at least two space heaters and also had containers of kerosene inside.  They said the fire broke out in McCray's bedroom and spread quickly through the house.

Family members said McCray spent Sunday afternoon celebrating the holidays with relatives and had planned to do the same on Monday morning.

"Dad just was a good person, he did so much for us," said his daughter Agnes McCray.

WSOC