ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man found dead after a house fire in eastern Buncombe County is now the subject of a homicide investigation, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, to a home at 84 E. Mountain Way near the Riceville community to assist the Riceville Fire Department after a deceased man was discovered during the fire investigation.
Sheriff’s office detectives responded to the scene and began conducting interviews. Authorities said preliminary autopsy results received Thursday prompted investigators to reclassify the case as a homicide.
“We learned of the preliminary autopsy results, and this is now an active criminal investigation,” District 1 Capt. Dustan Auldredge said in a statement.
Investigators are still working to positively identify the victim and have not released the cause of death or other details because of the ongoing investigation.
The sheriff’s office said investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 828-250-4462.