The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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October 4, 2012

Local authorities trying to identify victim in fatal mobile home fire northwest of Carthage

By Susan Redden news@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Investigators are working to contact relatives to make a positive identification of a woman who died Wednesday in a mobile home fire near Carthage.

Officials with the Jasper County sheriff’s office said the woman’s body was found by crews with the Carthage Fire Department when they arrived about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday at the home on County Lane Road.

The single-wide mobile home was in flames when crews reached the scene northwest of Carthage, according to a release from the department.

Responding to information that there could be a trapped victim, firemen searched the interior of the trailer and found the body of the woman.

Capt. Derek Walrod with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department said officials were waiting for preliminary results from an autopsy that was conducted Thursday. He said they also were working to locate relatives to help with identification.

“There may have to be some DNA testing,” he said. “We don’t suspect foul play.”

Carthage fire Chief Chris Thompson said a passer-by reported the blaze to authorities.

Because of extensive fire damage, no exact determination could be made as to the cause of the blaze, Thompson said.

Walrod said it appeared that the fire may have started near the dining room of the mobile home, which is where the woman’s body was found.

He said authorities were attempting to contact another person who lived in the trailer but was not home at the time of the fire.

The blaze destroyed the mobile home, Thompson said. Firefighters remained at the scene until nearly 9 p.m.

Assistance

Firefighters from the Jasper and Oronogo fire departments assisted Carthage crews in responding to the fire.

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