Three family members perished in their sleep Sunday morning following a fire on Arcola Road in the Hollister area.

Lieutenant Bobby Martin of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said the men have been identified as James Lynch, who was born in 1949; Steven Richardson, who was born in 1968; and Paul Lynch, who was born in 1983.

Chris Williams, assistant chief of the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department, said the relationship of the men was father, son and nephew.

Martin said the fire is not considered suspicious but the State Bureau of Investigation was called to assist.

Williams said the wood frame house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived after receiving a call from a passerby shortly before 2 a.m. at 1136 Arcola Road.

Williams said while the fire is still being investigated it appears it might have started in the wood stove and something may have been left on it.

Enfield was called for assistance but Arcola cancelled the call when its firefighters got the fire contained, Williams said.