88-year-old man dies in house fire in Duplin County

An 88-year old man is dead after a house fire in Duplin County this weekend.

Just before midnight on Sunday, the Duplin County 911 Center received a report of a fire near Clinic Circle Drive in Rose Hill, NC.

Multiple fire departments responded, as well as EMS and deputies, when first responders discovered an active fire with possible life endangerment.

When crews searched inside the home, they found a man later identified as Morrell Chasten. They pulled him from the home and performed life-saving efforts; however, he died as a result of his injuries.

Chasten will be taken for an autopsy performed by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, who is being assisted by the Duplin County Fire Marshal’s Office and

the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Out of respect for the family of the victims and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no further details about the investigation will be released.

"Officials would like to thank all of the responding agencies for their assistance, as well as community members for their kind words and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Chasten," wrote officials in a release.