Fire ignites near heater, killing Catawba County man

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Catawba County sheriff’s deputies and the county fire marshal are investigating a deadly fire from overnight.

The flames broke out at around 11 p.m. Wednesday and destroyed a mobile home on Banoak Road in the Vale community.

Investigators told Channel 9 the fire was accidental and started from a heating source -- they said it ignited near a kerosene heater inside the home.

Firefighters said when they arrived, much of the mobile home was engulfed in flames. By Thursday, not much of the home remained.

Deputies and friends confirmed to Channel 9 that 73-year-old Ronnie Mosteller died in the blaze.

>>At 5:30 p.m. on Eyewitness News, reporter Dave Faherty will have more information as the investigation unfolds.

Several neighbors and friends said Mosteller didn’t have any power or running water to the home. His church tried to help him out by providing a kerosene heater a few weeks ago so he would have a heating source. Tragically, investigators believe the heater was near where the fire started.

“No power, no electricity, no running water. His living conditions were horrible. And we’ve tried to help him,” said Eddie Peeler, a member of Mosteller’s church.

Peeler said the church also offered to buy Mosteller a generator, but he turned the offer down because he wasn’t able to crank one by himself.

As many as four different fire departments responded to the fire, and deputies and investigators spent more than three hours investigating.

“The whole church is praying for him. That’s the least we can do right now,” said Peeler.

Investigators told Channel 9 they don’t know if the heater malfunctioned or if the fire started from improper use.

The fire marshals office said hundreds of people use kerosene heaters in Catawba county. They suggest always refilling the heaters outside and never using gasoline. They also said it’s important to have a three foot clearance around the heater.

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