On Saturday night at approximately 11:41 PM, a fire was reported at 700 Manley Smith Rd, Nakina, NC. Fire officials and the Columbus County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. Following their initial investigations, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was called in to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The SBI's arson agents have classified the fire as arson, and they will be responsible for the arson investigation. Meanwhile, the Columbus County Sheriff's Office will lead the homicide investigation.

The SBI's arson investigation is ongoing, and no further information is currently available. For questions regarding the death investigation, please contact the Columbus County Sheriff's Office at 910-642-6551. Future updates will be sent out via press releases, social media platforms, or the www.ncsbi.gov website.