— press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On Saturday, October 31, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., deputies with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to 505 Parham Road in reference to a residential structure fire.
Responding agencies included Vance County Fire Department, Vance County EMS, Cokesbury Fire Department, Watkins Fire Department, Drewry Fire Department, and Henderson Fire Department.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel were advised that an individual was believed to be inside the residence. Firefighters immediately began efforts to extinguish the fire while conducting a search of the structure.
During the search, firefighters located a deceased individual inside the residence. The victim was subsequently identified as Herbert Newcomb, a resident of the home.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Arson Unit, and investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) are conducting a joint investigation to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
The circumstances surrounding the fire remain under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200, Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or submit an anonymous tip through the P3 Tips app.
