The fire marshal is investigating after a fire broke out at a Fayetteville duplex early Wednesday morning (Dec. 6).
According to the fire department, the call came in at 12:45 a.m. on 6497 Nicole Lane.
Firefighters said one side of the duplex is occupied while the other side is not. However, crews said no one was inside at the time of the fire.
According to a probable cause document from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, when a deputy arrived on scene, Vernon Kilpatrick, the occupant of the duplex, was screaming and holding a baseball bat above his head.
When asked if anyone was inside the burning building, Kilpatrick said "Yes, he didn't make it."