LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — The City of Lexington is offering an update about a house fire that resulted in the death of a long-time fire captain.
Capt. Ronnie Metcalf was a 19-year veteran of the Lexington Fire Department who died after sustaining serious burns in a house fire. A funeral was held for Metcalf on April 6 and a benefit dinner for Metcalf’s family was held in April 24.
“Out of respect for our fallen hero, Captain Ronnie Metcalf, we intentionally refrained from any public comments until after he could be laid to rest,” the city wrote in a release. “Ronnie Metcalf was a father, husband, and a 19-year veteran of the Lexington Fire Department. He was a hero and a good man to all who knew him. Friends have established a gift card meal train for the Metcalf family during this difficult time. People who want to donate should go to:
tinyurl.com/MetcalfHelp.”
The link directs to a Give InKind fundraiser.
The fire department has worked for nearly a month to evaluate the fire and learn more to prevent another tragedy from happening, according to the city’s release.
The fire
The fire broke out on March 26 on Fifth Street in Lexington. Metcalf and another firefighter were combating the flames while two other firefighters searched for victims in the home. The city says there was “near-zero visibility” inside the home, and Captain Metcalf told his teammate that he was going to get more hose. A few moments later, the on-scene commander ordered the home evacuated.
Metcalf did not evacuate with the others, and a rescue team went in. They found Metcalf and brought him out to EMS. He was taken to a hospital where he ultimately died of his injuries a few days later.
“While our evaluation has just begun, we do know that these firefighters faced a difficult, intensely burning fire in a house where conditions were rapidly deteriorating,” the city wrote. “In these situations, firefighters must crawl through an unfamiliar structure in near total darkness, heavy smoke, and several hundred degrees of heat. Everyone at the Lexington Fire Department is devastated by this tragic loss. It’s with heavy hearts that all of the brave men and women of the fire department continue Captain Metcalf’s legacy keeping our community safe.”
The Lexington Police Department is handling a criminal investigation as the fire marshal works to find out how the fire was started with help from multiple agencies.
“In addition to our evaluation, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration will do their own evaluations,” the city wrote.
Suspects
At the scene of the fire, a man and a woman approached firefighters. They were identified as suspects. Surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement showed those two suspects, Brandon Alan Hoskins, 31, of Lexington, and Stacie Blair Stegall, 37, of Lexington, in and around the house before the fire and “as the flames grew rapidly.”
They were charged with breaking and entering at the Fifth Street location and a home on Mill Street, where investigators found drug paraphernalia.
“Police did not find evidence that pointed to these two suspects using drugs while in the Fifth Street house on the night of the fire,” the city wrote. “The criminal investigation and evaluation of the fire are ongoing.”
