LITTLE RIVER, SC (WBTW) – Horry County Fire Rescue crews were called to a reported structure fire in Little River Friday morning.
According to HCFR, crews were called to a home on Lincoln Heights Road just before Noon. When they arrived, they found flames coming from inside the home.
Crews report that one person was trapped inside the house.
Deputy Coroner Tony Hendrick identified the victim as 51-year-old Eurel Johnson from Little River. Officials say the preliminary cause of death is smoke inhalation.
Those who live in the area say when they noticed the home in flames, they tried to help Johnson.
“I tried to get through the back. I hollered for his name couldn’t get him. So I tried to knock on Chas door to help me to get to him and by the time we got back out the fire had the house engulfed in flames,” George Vereen said.
Crews say the fire started in the kitchen and Johnson was in another room of the home at the time of the fire.
Investigators are now working to determine a cause.
Vereen says he was good friends with Johnson and it’s his smile that Vereen will remember.
“Yeah, it’s kind of sad right now he gone be missed because he’d get up in the morning walk and pick cans up and come back in the evening time and do the same thing he’s gone be missed,” Vereen added.
Count on WBTW.com and News13 for more on this developing story as soon as it becomes available.
