House fire claims mother and son in North Carolina

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina say that two people have died in a house fire.

WRAL reports that the Tuesday morning blaze in Wake Forest claimed the lives of Lawrence Williams and his mother, Ella Virginia Smith.

Batallion Chief Edward Barrett said Wednesday that both were found unconscious in bedrooms. They were revived and treated for smoke inhalation but died hours later.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends,” Barrett said. “We feel loss deeply.”

He said the fire remains under investigation.

Williams was living in the house and taking care of his mother. She would have turned 87 on Friday.