On Monday (9/18/2023) Cypress Pointe Fire/Rescue, Southern Pines Fire/Rescue, Whispering Pines Fire Department, Moore County EMS, and the Moore County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a structure fire and vehicle fire on Water Hills Lane just outside of the Town of Vass.
Upon the arrival of the fire department, both the vehicle fire and house fire were attacked, while working the house fire a burn victim was located in the house and removed to the exterior where paramedics and EMTs worked to stabilize the victim.
Air Care was requested, and an Engine from Southern Pines established a landing zone for the helicopter at the Vass Baseball Field. The patient was transported to the landing zone and then flown to the Burn Center in Chapel Hill.
Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to his injuries. While this type of tragedy is always difficult to deal with, this one hit all too close to home. The patient was John Frye, a veteran 911 Telecommunicator who was well-known and respected as a member of the emergency services community. John served the citizens of Moore County for over 12 years and was a trusted voice on the telephone and the radio when he was in the dispatch center. He will truly be missed.
The fires were extinguished and are being investigated by Moore County Public Safety, NC SBI, the NC State Fire Marshal's Office, and the ATF.
This is the second fire fatality in the CPFR district in just over two months.