Gaston Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said it is expected the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will assist in the investigation as is routine with fire fatalities.

Porter said the victim was out of her bed when she was found. He said it appeared the fire started in the front part of the mobile home located on Barry Scott Trail.

It was not immediately clear whether the point of origin was in the bedroom where the victim was found or near the bedroom.

An investigation will attempt to determine the cause of the fire.

In a statement on the matter, Porter said firefighters were dispatched to the scene just before 5 this morning and found the house, which was a total loss, engulfed.

Firefighters from Gaston and Garysburg had the blaze contained within 10 minutes. An adult male escaped with minor injuries and was treated on scene by Northampton County paramedics. He was later released.

A Gaston firefighter sustained a minor ankle injury and was transported to Halifax Regional and later released.

Three bystanders complaining of chest pains were treated and released on scene by paramedics, Porter said.

Seventeen Gaston firefighters and 11 from Garysburg remained on the scene for more than three hours performing salvage and overhaul.

The American Red Cross was contacted and will be providing assistance.