CLOVER, S.C.,None — Officials returned to the scene of a deadly Clover fire this morning to begin their investigation. A woman died Monday evening in the fire on Christmas Tree Lane.As of 10:45 a.m., few details are available.
Firefighters from Clover, Bethel and Bethany fire departments responded to the blaze around 6 p.m. on Christmas Tree Lane. When crews arrived at the home, they found the woman dead, said Lt. Mike Baker with the York County Sheriff’s Office.
York County Deputy Coroner David Chambers confirmed the fatality but was unable to provide the victim’s name or age. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Clover Fire Chief Charlie Love said State Law Enforcement Division officers have been called in to assist in an "intense investigation."
Officials heard two reports about separate fires at 412 Christmas Tree Lane. They received the initial call about 6 p.m. in response to an outbuilding at the home being on fire. The outbuilding was destroyed and the house was fully engulfed in flames in a playroom/living room area, Love said.
Crews had the fire under control by 8 p.m., he said. The house is a total loss, although damage estimates were not yet available.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. Deputies blocked the road to through-traffic and checked everyone who attempted to turn onto Christmas Lane from Bate Harvey Road, located just outside Clover town limits off S.C. 557. Ron Ammons, who lives down the road on Christmas Tree Lane, was driving home when he saw the road blocked and emergency crews stationed nearby.
“You turn around the curve [of Bate Harvey Road] and see lights,” Ammons said. “It can be disturbing.”
He asked a deputy if he should be alarmed, and the officer said not to worry. The deputy told him a crime scene was ahead, Ammons said.Chambers said warrants will be issued to search the premises to determine if a crime was committed, which is typical procedure. He expected a long night ahead of him.
The York County Sheriff’s Office have not released additional information Tuesday morning.