Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said detectives are continuing to investigate any possible ties between this morning's fire at the home of Alvin Pierce Sr. and the murder of his son, Alvin Pierce Jr.

Tripp said evidence was collected at the scene off Grant Drive, which is located off Highway 48 outside Roanoke Rapids, that indicates arson.

The sheriff declined to say how the fire was started.

The SBI had no comment on the matter.

The sheriff's office along with Rheasville and Davie volunteer firefighters responded to Grant Drive shortly before 1 a.m.

Deputies and firefighters determined the fire to be of a suspicious nature and an act of arson.

This morning a State Bureau of Investigation arson specialist was at the scene, but declined comment.

Tripp said one person was at the house but declined to say whether it was Alvin Pierce Sr. There were no injuries.

Rheasville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Keith Browder said firefighters had the blaze contained within a matter of minutes. He said the house was a total loss and on one end flames burned through the floor.

Only a few items were thought to be salvageable at the right end of the house.

About 20 to 25 firefighters from Rheasville and Davie responded. The fire appeared to have originated on the left side of the house where the heaviest damage was concentrated. Browder said it was clear the fire was suspicious.

Alvin Pierce Jr. was murdered May 21, apparently as the result of a dispute over a card game. He was found dead in his vehicle on Cottonwood Road.

Two people have been charged in his murder.