A man died in an apartment fire this morning in the Bethlehem community.
Shortly after 1am, units from Bethlehem, Wittenburg, Ellendale and Grace Chapel were dispatched to 75 Pine Lane which is located just off Highway 127. When the initial units arrived the apartment complex was ablaze.
Alexander County Fire Marshall Mark Earle says 62-year old Tim Townsend, a resident perished. Occupants of the other two units were able to escape the flames.
Earle says the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking material.
Two of the apartments were destroyed and the third sustained damage.
The Red Cross is assisting the other residents.
The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, the SBI and the State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting the Alexander County Fire Marshall’s Office with the investigation.