Fatal Christmas Fire Under Investigation

A fatal fire in Mount Pleasant early Christmas morning is under investigation.

South Shore Fire were dispatched at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 5500 block of 16th Street. When fire fighters arrived, flames were visible and fire had engulfed much of the front of the home.

According to Battalion Chief Steve Salvo, fire fighters entered the home to battle the blaze and at 12:48 a.m. a lone victim was discovered. Determining whether or not the deceased was a man or a woman was not possible at the scene because of the injuries they sustained. The person is not believed to be related to the family who owns the house.

"We do not believe this person was an occupant of the home," he said. "To our knowledge, there was no one else in the house."

Salvo said the house had the appearance of people moving out, and he said neighbors reported the family has moved to Texas.

The home is described as a single story single-family home with a walk-out basement. Salvo said the first floor has heavy fire damage and there is significant water damage now in the basement.

Fire fighters had the flames under control in 15 minutes and extinguished in just under an hour after arrival.

Mount Pleasant Police issued a written statement confirming the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Salvo believes the Department of Criminal Investigation may be called in to assist since the victim was not seemingly related to the homeowners.

Patch will update this story as more details become available.