June 19--ELIZABETHTOWN -- A Friday fire that destroyed the home of a Bladen County deputy has been ruled accidental, authorities said Monday.
The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. at the home of Deputy Daniel Wilkins at 2538 N.C. 211 East in Clarkton, Fire Marshal Bradley Kinlaw said.
Wilkins was working when the fire was reported and heard the call over the radio, said Capt. Rodney Hester of the Sheriff's Office.
Wilkins, his wife, Brandy, and their 22-month-old daughter were living in the single-wide mobile home while saving money to build a house, Hester said. The family lived next to Brandy Wilkins' parents.
Brandy Wilkins and her daughter were at their house when the fire started, Hester said.
The trailer burned quickly, Kinlaw said.
"As soon as the page (fire call) went out, the chief was about four miles away and could see heavy smoke," he said.
The fire is believed to have started near an appliance, Kinlaw said.
"It's between the dryer and the stove," he said.
By the time firefighters had the flames under control, the trailer had been destroyed, Kinlaw said.
Firefighters from the Clarkton, Lisbon, Carvers Creek and Bladenboro departments responded. They were there for about 2 1/2hours, he said.
The couple has insurance, Kinlaw said, but they lost everything.
Several people in Sheriff's Office and the community have been collecting clothing and items for the family, Hester said.
Anyone who wants to make a donation can all the Bladen County Sheriff's Office at 910-862-6960.
It's the second tragedy for the department in as many weeks, Hester said.
Thirty-nine-year-old Deputy Dewayne Charles Hester, who is no relation to Capt. Hester, was killed June 9 in a vehicle crash while responding to a call.
Staff writer Nancy McCleary can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3568.
Copyright 2012 - The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.
