Coroner identifies person killed in Lexington County Christmas Eve house fire
The Lexington County coroner has identified the victim of a house fire that killed one and injured another on Christmas Eve.
Coroner Margaret Fisher said Stanley Gonzalez Cook died from the Tuesday fire on the 400 block of Gardners Terrace Road. That’s between the communities of Pine Ridge and Gaston. Firefighters were called about the blaze around 7:30 p.m.
Th 51-year-old Cook died at the scene, Fisher said. An autopsy will be scheduled.
Heavy smoke and flames engulfed the home, according to Lexington County. One person escaped the fire but Cook became trapped. Firefighters removed Cook from the home, a county spokesperson said. Medical crews gave Cook CPR but he died from his injuries.
The home was completely destroyed.
A firefighter was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of deceased,” Lexington County said on Facebook. The coroner’s office also sent out its “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of Cook in a statement.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the cause of the fire, a standard procedure in cases of fatal fires. The agency’s arson unit is assisting with the investigation, spokesperson Tommy Crosby said.
Maayan Schechter contributed to this story.
This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 9:25 AM.