Enfield Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ronnie Locke said a man family described as a person who helped her escaped through a window.

Locke said the fire call came in shortly before 12:15 this morning. The two-story wood-framed house about two miles from the fire department on Highway 481 west of Enfield had burned to the ground by the time the fire department received the call.

Locke said it is unclear how long the fire had been burning before the man realized the house was on fire. “She couldn't get out. Basically all he could do was go out the window.”

With no way of communication, the man stood out in the yard for 15 minutes before anyone rode by to call for help. Locke said there are no other houses close by.

Locke said the fire department is not releasing names of the victims, who he described as being middle aged, perhaps in their 50s or 60s.

Locke said he believes the fire most likely started in the chimney. He said he believes the attic of the house was engulfed before it was realized the house was on fire.

The woman and her dog were found three or four feet apart from each other in the bedroom where there was a wood stove. “She was near the stove when we found her,” Locke said. “She was not laying in the bed.”

Locke said he woman, based on previous EMS calls to the house, kept the house hot, anywhere from 80 to 90 degrees inside. The nature of the EMS calls were not immediately known.

The man did not sustain serious injuries. The Halifax Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the call.